Japata Secondary School in Trans Nzoia County is facing a multitude of challenges and is deeply marred with poor facilities affecting the wellbeing of learners and teachers, thus affecting learning.
According to the preliminary report, the school’s troubles began when a Chinese company, contracted to construct the Kitale-Suam border highway, sourced murram from the school’s land without proper compensation.
The school, which sits on prime Agricultural Development Corporation (ADC) land, is now without a significant portion of its territory, and the community is questioning the fairness of the deal.
The school’s location, just a stone’s throw away from the highway, makes it an ideal candidate for an academic excellence centre, however, the lack of infrastructure and resources is hindering its potential. With over a thousand students, the school is struggling to make ends meet.
Corruption within the concerned department handling capitation is further exacerbating the problem, making it difficult for the school to run its budget appropriately.
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Recently, a devastating storm ravaged the school, destroying several classrooms, the library, and toilet facilities, leaving students and staff in a precarious situation. The destruction of the library has left thousands of books heaped in a store full of rats, rendering them unusable.
The school’s predicament has sparked concerns about the safety and well-being of students and staff, with calls for immediate action to address the infrastructure deficit and provide support to affected schools.
Similar incidents have been reported in other parts of Trans Nzoia, highlighting the vulnerability of schools to extreme weather conditions.
“We are set to plant more trees, especially eucalyptus, around the edges, though we are faced with a myriad of challenges, including Chinese fleeing without compensation as promised, and meager capitation marred with corruption.
The state is pathetic. Students are stranded, and teachers and support staff have nowhere to ease themselves. It’s a dire situation that requires urgent attention,” said Michael Kipkemboi Tuwei, the school’s principal.
By Kimtai Cherongis
kimchero4@gmail.com
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