Alarming challenges facing public primary schools in Webuye East have been laid bare, as education leaders called for urgent government intervention during a Kenya Primary Schools Heads Association (KEPSHA) meeting held on Thursday at ACK Webuye Primary School.
The meeting, convened by KEPSHA Webuye East chapter, brought together key stakeholders including area MP Martin Wanyonyi, Deputy County Commissioner Peter Yegon, Sub-County Director of Education Paul Rono, and KNUT Bungoma East Executive Secretary Robert Mandila.
KEPSHA Webuye East Chairperson David Musinai painted a bleak picture of the state of primary education in the region, citing critical challenges including lack of capitation funds, dilapidated infrastructure, absence of Grade 9 classrooms, and schools operating without offices or perimeter fencing.
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“The situation is dire. Some schools like Furoi Primary are using only three doors to serve over 435 pupils and teachers. Others have no offices or fencing, leaving children exposed to insecurity,” Musinai said.
Mandila echoed the concerns, blaming chronic underfunding and a dysfunctional National Education Management Information System (NEMIS), which he said frequently erases pupil records, resulting in reduced funding.
“The NEMIS system is corrupted. You input student data today and it’s gone by tomorrow. This directly affects the money schools receive,” said Mandila.
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MP Wanyonyi pledged to escalate the matter in Parliament, promising to work with the Ministry of Education to address the issues. “Our children deserve better. We must invest in their future by fixing these schools now,” he stated.
The education stakeholders resolved to continue engaging national authorities to demand immediate reforms in the primary education sector.
By Godfrey Wamalwa
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