Parents of St Francis primary school in Gatundu North, Kiambu County have protested plans to close the institution to pave way for construction of a technical Institute in the area.
The irate parents who barricaded the Gatukuyu-Mang’u-flyover road with twigs and bonfires, moved learners out of classes in protest against the plans they say are orchestrated by area MP Elijah Njoroge Kururia.
The lawmaker has in previous functions within the constituency announced that the government is planning to put a technical Institute, which would be the first of its kind in the region, and that funds for the project are intact.
He argued that the location at St Francis Primary school is convenient for a technical college since it has adequate land and is easily accessible as it nears the busy Thika-Mang’u-flyover road.
He also noted that the institution is only 100 meters away from Mang’u primary school adding that it is not cost effective to run the two institutions separately.
“More classes will be built at Mang’u to accommodate more students. Learning will be effective and levels of performance will improve as more teachers will be hired and capitation allocation will be adequate. This will go a long way in saving the parents monies that they contribute,” Kururia said.
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The MP also quipped that building a technical college in Gatundu North will improve accessibility to higher learning for Gatundu learners noting that they have endured strenuous years seeking higher education in institutions in far-flung areas.
Parents however claimed that the lawmaker, in a meeting with parents’ committee leaders, ‘arrogantly’ told parents to look for other neighboring schools where they’d take their children from November this year as their 9-acre school land would be used to put up a technical college.
He allegedly asked parents to look for slots at Mang’u, Muirigo, Mwea and Mutuma primary schools, which have no enough facilities to handle the high number of pupils. St Francis primary school currently has 600 learners.
“We were shocked after our children were told to inform us that the school would be shut. We have never been involved in any plans to move the school as key stakeholders and we won’t allow the plans to progress,” said Willie Menja, a parent.
The parents asserted that the institution is run by the Catholic church and that the Church has not communicated to them over the matter.
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“All stakeholders must be involved in crucial decisions affecting the institution. We are waiting for communication from relevant authorities and institutions including the Ministry of Education and the Catholic church,” Menja noted.
Francis Njuguna, another parent said that it’s an ill-timed decision to shut a school with over 600 learners adding that the college project can be undertaken at institutions that have shut or are in the verge of closing due to lack of learners including Barigito and Mbichi schools.
Njuguna said that the move to shut the institution will disrupt their kids’ learning and put many parents into dilemma noting that neighboring schools are not accepting new learners due to inadequacy of facilities.
They vowed not to allow the institution, which has been there for decade to be shut at the expense of their children’s education.
By John Kamau
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