By Christopher Omondi.
Ezra Gumbe Primary School in Migosi Ward, Kisumu County, is one of the oldest schools in the county. With the introduction of the Competency Based Curriculum, there has been a growing need for classrooms in all schools. At Ezra Gumbe, the existing blocks were built more than twenty years ago, resulting in an urgent need to construct new classrooms while also renovating the older ones.
Currently, there has been no ongoing project at this school, with residents citing insufficient government funding for school infrastructure. The little funding that is available is primarily used to cover recurrent costs.
“Ezra Gumbe Primary School, as one of the oldest schools in Migosi Ward, is lagging behind due to negligence from government institutions such as the National Government Constituencies Development Fund (NG-CDF) and the Kenya Primary Education Equity in Learning Program (KPEEL), which have been constructing and renovating classrooms in other schools. This raises questions about the factors they consider when selecting schools to benefit from their projects because our children clearly deserve better. The limited funding allocated is primarily used for recurrent costs, which cover immediate operational and maintenance expenses. This is why our classrooms have pitted floors and walls with no window panes; most classrooms lack electricity, leaving them dark for pupils in the early mornings and later in the evenings. We are asking our Member of Parliament for Kisumu Central Constituency, Dr. Joshua Oron, to assist by following up on the grievances raised concerning this school,” said Abigael Nanda, a parent at the school.
The drainage system at the school is also inadequate, as it is located on the banks of River Auji, exposing the school to flooding, mud, and waste from the river during rainy periods and thus creating environmental issues.
“The members of the community have offered assistance with basic repairs over the years, such as temporary drainage and fencing, but their capacity is insufficient for the extensive work required at the school. With the growing need for maintenance of the existing structures, there is little to no funding left for the dilapidated classrooms around the school, which diverts attention from more significant issues. Furthermore, when repairs are actually carried out, they often turn out shoddy, further disrupting the learning process as students are taken away from their normal routine,” according to Moses, a resident near the school.
