Efforts by the government to decongest overcrowded Mwiki Primary School in Githurai, Ruiru subcounty are yet to bear fruits.
The school is still registering an increased number of learners.
Last year the school had 3,600 pupils but the number has increased to 4,500 learners.
Some 644 pupils will sit their KCPE examinations.
The state constructed Manguo and Mutuya Primary Schools in Kiuu and Mwihoko wards, to decongest Mwiki but the facilities didn’t meet the intended purpose.
During a meeting with parents on Tuesday, Ruiru MP Simon King’ara said the closure of some private schools due to the pandemic, made parents scramble for slots at the two schools.
“The two schools are full and other pupils were forced to get slots at the already overcrowded Mwiki Primary School,” King’ara said.
The MP said the NG-CDF has already constructed five classrooms at the school and purchased more desks to accommodate more learners.
“Plans to add five more classrooms are underway as we seek effective ways to decongest the school and give children a friendly environment to study,” he said.
Kang’ara said the Ministry of Education will have to purchase another land and relocate the school to decongest it.
“The school sits on a piece measuring 84Mx86M. There is no space for expansion or even a playfield,” the MP said.
Mwiki Primary School headteacher Joseph Kamau said his school is the most congested in the country.
He said despite the huge number of learners, the school has 41 classrooms and 1,077 desks.
He said the institution is overstretched and a single classroom accommodates over 130 learners against the Education ministry guidelines of 40 pupils per classroom.
“During parade time, the teachers address pupils using a public address system. The school has four deputy head teachers,” Kamau said.
“The number of learners increased from last year and we are struggling and doing our best to keep them here. Our discipline level is high and I think that’s the reason why most parents opt to bring their children here.”
He said the school management has already reached out to the Education ministry to accelerate the process of acquiring a piece of land for the school.
“We appreciate the efforts being made by the ministry to decongest our school and we hope that they will get land soon enough to put up a larger school which will accommodate our learners,” Kamau said.
Edited by Kiilu Damaris
