Mumias Central Comprehensive School appeals for support to build more classrooms

Mumias Central Comprehensive School in Mumias West Constituency, Kakamega County has appealed to stakeholders and well-wishers to support the institution in constructing more classrooms in order to ease congestion and enhance effective learning.

The Head of Institution, Francis Obwamu noted that the school’s long-standing reputation for excellence in both academic and co-curricular activities has led to a steady surge in student enrolment, putting immense pressure on the available facilities.

According to Obwamu, the school currently hosts over 3,500 learners, a number that has significantly stretched the existing infrastructure.

“We are a premier institution in the region and the country, but our hands are tied by the shortage of learning spaces. In some streams, a single classroom accommodates over 85 learners, making effective lesson administration very difficult,” he said.

He explained that the congestion has further complicated the implementation of the Competency Based Education (CBE) curriculum, which is learner-centered and requires close interaction between teachers and students.

“With the new curriculum emphasizing individualized learning, it becomes challenging for teachers to monitor and support every learner effectively when classrooms are overcrowded,” he added.

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Obwamu commended Mumias Sugar Company for donating the 18 acres of land on which the school sits. He also expressed gratitude to the Mumias West Constituency Development Fund (CDF) for supporting the construction of several classrooms in the institution.

However, he noted that more infrastructure is still needed and expressed hope that the school will soon put up a storey classroom block to address the growing demand for space.

Despite the congestion, the school continues to attract learners from across the region due to its strong academic reputation.

“Many parents still want to admit their children here. It becomes very difficult to turn away a parent who believes in the school and wants their child to learn here,” he said.

Obwamu also acknowledged the confidence local leaders have shown in the school’s leadership, noting that even the Kakamega County Governor entrusted the institution with the education of his children, a move that has further strengthened the school’s reputation.

As a champion of the Competency Based Education system in Mumias West, Mr. Obwamu also highlighted several challenges affecting the implementation of the curriculum in many schools.

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Obwamu commended Mumias Sugar Company for donating the 18 acres of land on which the school sits. He also expressed gratitude to the Mumias West Constituency Development Fund (CDF) for supporting the construction of several classrooms in the institution.

These include shortage of laboratories, inadequate teaching staff, and lack of learning materials, particularly in junior schools.

He further pointed out that inconsistencies in the National Education Management Information System (NEMIS) have also affected funding.

“Some learners miss out on capitation because their details fail to appear in the system despite schools submitting accurate data.

For instance, although we have about 3,500 learners, some still miss out on government funding,” he explained.

Obwamu, however, remained optimistic that the seven key competencies and values embedded in the new curriculum will greatly benefit learners if supported with proper infrastructure and resources.

“As a school, we have laid a strong foundation to help our learners achieve the best. We therefore humbly appeal to stakeholders to support us in constructing more classrooms to ease congestion,” he said.

By Victor Ngecho.