Learning has been disrupted at Nguumo Primary School in Kivaloni, Kinyaata Sub-County, Yatta, Machakos County, after strong winds accompanying heavy rains destroyed two classrooms, leaving Grade 4 and Grade 5 pupils without proper learning spaces.
The incident occurred on Friday night when powerful winds swept through the area, damaging the classrooms and leaving behind a trail of destruction.
Learners who reported to school on Monday were met with a disturbing scene as the Grade 4 and Grade 5 classrooms had been reduced to rubble.
Iron sheets, timber, furniture, books and other learning materials were scattered across the school compound.
School head Joseph Kalenga estimated the damage at approximately Sh2 million, taking into account the destroyed structures, furniture, textbooks and other instructional materials.
The incident comes at a particularly difficult time for the institution, which had already secured Sh1.7 million from the Yatta National Government Constituencies Development Fund (NG-CDF) towards the reconstruction of the classrooms.
According to Kalenga, preparations to rebuild the structures were already underway when the heavy rains and strong winds struck, destroying the buildings before the planned works could be completed.
Pupils forced to share classrooms
The destruction has forced affected learners to share available classrooms with pupils from other grades, while some have been compelled to study under trees as the school struggles to accommodate them.
The situation has raised concerns about the safety and comfort of learners, particularly during the rainy season.
Parents and the school management have appealed to the Yatta NG-CDF office, the Machakos County Government and well-wishers to intervene and support the reconstruction of the classrooms.
They fear that prolonged disruption could undermine learning continuity and affect pupils' academic performance.
The incident has also renewed concerns about the vulnerability of school infrastructure to extreme weather conditions and the need for safe, durable classrooms capable of withstanding heavy rains and strong winds.
The school now faces the urgent task of restoring a conducive learning environment for the affected pupils while safeguarding the remaining infrastructure against further damage.
The Sh1.7 million NG-CDF allocation had offered hope of reconstruction, but the latest destruction has heightened the need for additional intervention to address the damage and ensure that Grade 4 and Grade 5 learners return to normal classroom learning.
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