Busia County Director of Education James Ekaale, has warned principals within the county not to accept any building which has not reached 100 per cent completion from contractors.
Ekaale said the school heads should only take over buildings which have attained 100 per cent completion.
Addressing over 100 principals during Busia County Kenya Secondary School Heads Association (KESSHA) academic workshop held in Nuru Palace Hotel in Nakuru city, the Director said many contractors in the county have a tendency of handing over incomplete projects to the principals before abandoning them.
Ekaale said the Ministry of Education will not allow such behaviours to continue and also directed all principals in secondary schools to ensure they closely monitor all development projects taking place in schools and ensure they adhere to the required standards.
“We will not allow contractors to put up substandard infrastructure, we urge constructors to ensure highest standards while constructing school facilities like classrooms and laboratories to ensure students are safe. They should not be in a hurry to be paid without completing the project at 100 percent completion,” said the Director.
The Director said some classrooms and laboratories have been constructed in a substandard manner that the walls have cracks and the floor have pot holes even before it is handed over to schools.
He also used that opportunity to urge school principals to help curb school dropouts, something that has negatively affected academic standards in Busia County.
Ekaale said many school going children have entered into business activities within Kenya-Uganda borders and forgot about school.
He also lamented the number of school children involved in fishing activities along the shore of Lake Victoria and other rivers found in the county.
“We must stop this culture of school children dropping out of school. It is sad to admit students in Form One and by the time they seat for their KCSE, only 70 per cent of them are able to sit for examinations,” said the Director.
He urged principals to involve all stakeholders like parents and chiefs in solving the problem of school dropout and early pregnancy.
On his part, Busia County Quality Assured and Standard officer William Makori urged principals to renew the registration certificate of their schools.
He also encouraged the schools to have a strategic plan.
By Peter Otuoro
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