By Tony Wafula
Learners in Bikhutu SDA Primary school in Mt. Elgon Constituency, Bungoma County are suffering silently as they pray and wait for patiently for wherever their help may come from.
Learning at the school has been adversely affected by a severe attack by jiggers on pupils which has caused serious legs deformation among many of them.
The school which was established in 2011 as an ECDE school with only two classrooms is facing harsh infrastructural challenges as the school is operating in a pathetic environment with classrooms being in deplorable conditions.
Justin Ikwara, the school head teacher revealed that half the school pupils are affected by jiggers.
“We are expecting our very first KCPE candidates to sit for their examination next year, but as a school we are scared about the mean score that we will post as absenteeism is the main challenge facing us,” he said.
He added that currently the school population stands at 320 pupils who share two dilapidated mud-walled pit latrines that risk the lives of the learners.
Mr. Ikwara has appealed to the government to intervene and help the school build permanent classrooms and washrooms that will suffice for the needs of the students and also boost the hygiene as one way of fighting jiggers in the school and the community around.
“The issue of jiggers is attributed to dusty classrooms and the dilapidated pit latrines in the school. Therefore I request our area MP Hon. Fred Kapondi through his NG-CDF office and other well-wishers to help construct permanent classrooms and latrines in the school to evade jigger infestation and also create a condusive environment for the learners,” Ikwara noted.
The ramshackle classrooms at Bikhutu Primary School. Photo/Tony Wafula
He added due to dilapidated structures pupils are not able to attend afternoon classes because of the rains that pound the region on daily basis.
Peter Chem the director of a non-governmental organization called community development sustainability (CDS), who have stepped in to offer treatment to the jigger affected pupils blamed parents for neglecting their children’s hygiene and health that has led to jiggers invading the schools and the community.
The organization treated 180 pupils in the school.
Chem said that the organization is having strategies to end jiggers in Mt. Elgon as they are set to go round institutions and the community at large in a bid to eradicate jiggers and educate the community on the importance of good hygiene.
