Gichugu MP Announces Comprehensive Renovation of All 57 Public Primary SchoolsNdhiwa MP Criticizes E-Citizen School Fees Payment DirectiveMachakos Technical Institute for the Blind Launches Digital Lab for Special Needs Students
GICHUGU – Githinji Gichimu, the Member of Parliament for Gichugu, has declared a significant initiative to refurbish all 57 public primary schools in the constituency to modern standards. This renovation effort is set to be funded through the National Government Constituency Development Fund (NG-CDF).
According to Kenya News Agency, Gichugu faces a unique challenge due to its dense population and rapidly increasing student numbers. He noted that the majority of the schools’ infrastructure is over three decades old and the renovations are long overdue. The comprehensive refurbishment plan includes the installation of metallic doors and windowpanes, plastering, cementing of floors, fencing, as well as the renovation of toilets, kitchens, and roofing.
Gichimu expressed optimism that the upgraded facilities would encourage better academic performance and convince parents to choose public schools over private institutions for their children’s education. He highlighted the trend of parents transferring their children to private schools due to inadequate infrastructure in public schools, stating, “We are reversing that trend by offering a good learning environment.”
The MP, who is serving his second term, further mentioned that after the completion of the primary school projects, the focus would shift towards improving day secondary schools in the area to ensure all educational institutions meet acceptable standards.
The renovation initiative has been warmly received by educators and parents in the constituency. Njogu Kamurua, the head teacher at Karucho Primary, emphasized the positive impact of the renovations on the learning environment and hygiene standards within the schools. Kamurua appealed to parents and the community to support the school programs, highlighting the benefits of the new facilities in enhancing the overall educational experience for students.
NDHIWA, Kenya—Ndhiwa Member of Parliament Martin Owino has expressed strong opposition to the government’s directive that parents pay school fees through the e-citizen platform, arguing that it would disadvantage children from financially challenged backgrounds.
According to Kenya News Agency, the mandate overlooks the reality of numerous parents who cannot afford school fees in cash but have traditionally supported their children’s education through barter trade, providing schools with farm produce and firewood in exchange for covering their children’s school fees. He articulated his concerns during a bursary distribution event in Ndhiwa town, where he handed out scholarships worth Sh23 million to vulnerable students in secondary schools.
Owino highlighted that the e-citizen platform would inhibit these parents’ ability to continue this practice, potentially excluding their children from accessing education. He elaborated on the significant role of barter trade in enabling education for children whose parents are unable to make monetary payments, emphasizing that such arrangements would be rendered impossible under the new system.
The legislator called on the government to reconsider the decision, pointing out that mandating payment of school fees exclusively through e-citizen could undermine efforts to ensure equitable education access for all children in Kenya. Owino argued that the move could not only deprive many children of educational opportunities but also precipitate a financial crisis within schools.
He raised additional concerns regarding the government’s track record of delayed capitation fund remittances to schools, suggesting that similar delays could affect the transfer of school fees paid via e-citizen, further straining schools’ financial resources. Owino’s remarks came as he distributed a portion of Sh61 million allocated for bursaries in his constituency, underlining his commitment to supporting education for the underprivileged.
MACHAKOS, Kenya—Students with special needs at the Machakos Technical Institute for the Blind are set to gain from a government initiative that offers them training for online jobs through the Jitume Digital Lab.
According to Kenya News Agency, Alex Kaluyu, the program aims to equip students with the necessary skills to secure online employment, thereby enabling them to support themselves financially while continuing their education. Kaluyu shared this development during a press briefing, highlighting the government’s commitment to fostering digital inclusion and self-reliance among youths with special needs.
The training, which spans one week, seeks to empower participants to create job opportunities for themselves and others, emphasizing the importance of leveraging digital platforms for economic upliftment. Kaluyu underscored the equal employment opportunities that online jobs offer to students, regardless of their disability status, and pointed out the inclusive nature of digital access which allows students with special needs to train alongside their peers.
He also mentioned the role of technology in leveling the playing field for all students, providing them with the tools, software, and content necessary to navigate the digital world. The initiative is supported by collaborations with the ICT Authority (ICTA), Konza Technopolis, and the Technical and Vocational Education and Training Authority (TVETA), which have contributed significantly to enhancing IT skills access, especially for visually impaired youths.
The program includes training in transcription, content writing, and data entry, aimed at both students with special needs and their peers. Trainer Annie Kiruja encouraged participants to embrace self-discipline and patience, assuring them of ongoing mentorship until they begin earning from their online endeavors.
This move by the government through the Jitume Digital Lab is a stride towards inclusive education and employment, promising a brighter future for students with special needs in Machakos and beyond.