By Michael Oduor
Senator Mwaruma speaking after launching of the newly constructed classroom in Birikani ECDE centre. Photo Michael Oduor
Taita Taveta Senator Johnes Mwaruma has launched a classroom for a new primary school in Birikani area, Voi Sub-county, Taita Taveta County.
The newly constructed grade 1 classroom at Birikani Early Childhood Development Education (ECDE) centre was funded by Senator Mwaruma under his foundation called Johnes Mwaruma Foundation. Learners in the region had for a long time to walk longer distances to attend school since there was no primary schools nearby.
The ECDE centre which has 108 pupils and 4 teachers started in 1962 under the sponsorship of St. Philips ACK with the pupils learning under a tree. The centre is the mother school to Birikani Primary school following the completion of a project supported by Senator Mwaruma.
Hon. Senator Mwaruma, who was the guest of honour, said the new primary school would spare learners the from walking for long distances to attend primary schools in other areas.
He added that his love for education motivated him to support the project and fulfil his dream of ensuring all children went to school.
“The reason why I decided to start this project is because the Birikani area has for a long time lagged behind with no primary or secondary school. I saw these children were struggling to get to the available schools which are far away. Some walked all the way to Mwanyambo primary to learn. Personally, I like education and that drove me to construct this block so that our grade 1 pupils can learn here to avoid walking for long distances which is also risky to them,” said Mwaruma.
On his part, Taita Taveta Kenya Union of Post Primary Education Teachers (KUPPET) secretary, Mr Shedrack Mutungi said the school will be inspected by the quality assurance officer for Education early next week so that its registration can be done so it can be identified as a government primary school.
He applauded the senator for his work and being selfless in ensuring that the children in Birikani area are relieved of the inconveniency of having to walk long distances to school.
“I would like to congratulate our senator for the project which we are here to launch. He used his resources in a bid to ensure our children are assisted,” added Mutungi.
The Kenya National Union of Teachers (KNUT) also congratulated the Senator for his good work in supporting education in the region.
KNUT general secretary, Mr Lenox Mshila said the union is ready to work with the senator, who was also a member of the union, in ensuring that the education sector in the region is fully supported.
“Our union will stand with Senator Mwaruma in a bid to ensure development in the education sector in the region,” noted Mshila.
He urged Senator Mwaruma to continue supporting schools and education in the region, adding that education is the only means that can be used to change the lives of residents across Taita Taveta County.
He also encouraged parents to be responsible and ensure their children are disciplined and provided with the basic needs to be able to be in school and learn.
“To our parents, let’s be responsible and ensure that our children are disciplined. Let’s provide the basics they require so that they can be able to get quality education that will have a positive impact in their lives,” added Mshila.
Speaking during the launching of the new classroom in Birikani ECDE, the village elder Amina Mohammed said that children had security challenges as they had to walk long distances and congratulated the Senator for the project which took a shorter period to be completed.
“Our children had a lot of challenges walking longer distances to school. The area has been having challenges following the free movement of stray wildlife which pose a risk to pupils. Building a primary school here will save our children from the long walk to distant primary schools,” said Mohammed.
She added that there were water challenges across the area and urged the county government to fast-track the water installation project to serve the children and the community at large.
