BY ALBERT NYAKUNDI
Pupils of Ngaru Primary school in Kirinyaga Central subcounty will report to school next year in a completely new environment.
They will have new amenities that are only common in private learning institutions.
This is after the school’s alumni and friends joined hands to give the pre-colonial school a major face lift.
A resident, Edward Kamaru and the current chairman of the Board of Management said the school was founded in 1933 and has over 500 pupils.
“The school was built in 1933 and we are happy as parents to see what former pupils have done for the school.” He told Hot News.
On Saturday, the alumni led by infrastructure PS Professor Paul Maringa handed over completed projects to the Board of Management.
The projects include a modern block of thirty toilets and two bathrooms.
The block has been subdivided into two wings.
Each wing has fourteen and sixteen toilets and a bathroom each for boys and girls.
The toilets are disability friendly.
A modern library and combo desks with book racks for each pupil as well as a set of computers include the goodies handed over on Saturday.
The Alumni also installed solar power to light up the school and improved the existing playground.
The field is used both by students from the adjacent Ngaru girls’ secondary school and the local community.
Speaking at the ceremony, Professor Maringa said the new look will inspire learners and improve their confidence.
“We want to empower our community through education and better their lives by creating job opportunities too.” He said.
He said the alumni have a vibrant mentorship programme at the school.
Maringa said the alumni are committed to ensure their footprints are seen not just in Kirinyaga county but across the country.
“One hand washes the other. We encourage adapting self-development projects where the communities and alumni are encouraged to participate.” the professor said.
Another key alumni present was Wanjiru Andanje, a retired police commander at the Government Vehicles Check Unit.
The outgoing alumni chairperson encouraged girls to take education seriously and believe in themselves.
Other guests who attended the short ceremony that strictly adhered to the government directives on fight against Covid-19 included Kirinyaga county commissioner Jim Njoka and his counterpart the county police boss Leah Kitheka.
Kirinyaga subcounty deputy county commissioner Daniel Ndege and other local leaders attended.
Njoka while congratulating the alumni for their efforts appealed to the community to take care of the school’s properties and take their children to school.
“You can only thank the alumni by taking school going children to school including the disabled ones. Take advantage and utilize the opportunity.” Njoka said.
He promised to boost security in the area in collaboration with other stakeholders.
The head teacher Lucas Ngari thanked the alumni for fulfilling their promises.
“We promise to take care of the assets that you have handed over to us today.” Ngari said.
The alumni said they will raise funds in future to build a teacher’s lounge, refurbishing of offices and building houses at the school for both the head teacher and the deputy.
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