Public Participation Forum
During a recent public participation forum in North Imenti Constituency, local stakeholders highlighted the urgent need for the construction and renovation of school facilities and security infrastructure as key priorities for the National Government Constituency Development Fund (NG-CDF) in the 2024/2025 financial year.
Overcrowded Schools Demand New Classrooms
School administrators voiced their concerns over the severe shortage of classroom space, especially as Junior Secondary School (JSS) learners prepare to advance to Grade 9 next year. Public schools in Meru Municipality are grappling with overcrowded classrooms, driven by a rising trend of parents transferring their children from private to public schools due to economic hardships.
Ms. Eva Gichuru, headteacher of Meru Primary School, highlighted the situation: “Currently, we have 324 students in Grades 1 to 6, 99 in Grade 7, and 62 in Grade 8. With the increasing shift from private to public schools, we anticipate even higher enrolment next year. We urgently need the existing four classrooms to be upgraded to accommodate the additional learners.”
Security Concerns and Infrastructure Upgrades
In addition to classroom needs, headteachers requested enhanced security measures. Many called for the construction of perimeter walls around school premises to prevent intrusions, which have led to theft and damage to school property.
Ms. Jane Mutonga, headteacher of DEB Township Primary School, appealed to the NG-CDF Committee for immediate action: “We are dealing with frequent unauthorized entries, resulting in the theft of valuable electronic gadgets. It is crucial to have a perimeter wall to protect the school’s assets.”
In response, North Imenti MP Rahim Dawood urged the school heads to submit detailed bill of quantities, including measurements for the proposed perimeter walls, to facilitate consideration and funding.
Addressing Broader Security and Utility Needs
Beyond school infrastructure, participants in the forum also prioritized improvements in local administrative facilities. Requests included the construction and renovation of offices for Assistant Commissioners, Chiefs, and Assistant Chiefs, as well as the provision of essential utilities like water and electricity.
MP Dawood acknowledged that some offices had already been allocated funds for renovation and fencing, but noted delays in utilizing these resources. “We are giving a two-week notice for the responsible parties to address the stalled funds. If no action is taken, we will reallocate these funds to other pressing needs,” he warned.
Urgent Need for Additional Classrooms
MP Dawood emphasized the urgent requirement for around 30 new classrooms to accommodate Grade 9 learners, urging swift action from the Ministry of Education. He assured the community that his committee would review all submitted proposals and prioritize projects based on available resources.
“We will sit down and evaluate the proposals to determine which projects can be implemented immediately and which ones might need to wait due to budget constraints,” said Dawood. He called on the Ministry of Education to expedite the allocation of funds to meet the growing demand for classroom space in the constituency.
The forum underscored the pressing need for enhanced educational facilities and security infrastructure in North Imenti, highlighting the challenges faced by public schools in coping with increasing student enrolment and the importance of securing learning environments.
