Schools in a mess as teachers return to dusty, dirty classrooms

The mess that has defined public schools over the last six months welcomed back teachers yesterday as support staff who usually keep the institutions tidy and habitable stayed away, having gone without pay for as long.  

The teaching staff were greeted by overgrown bushes, facilities in disrepair, dirty and dusty classrooms and gullies running through playing fields owing to failure by the government to release funds for maintenance during the prolonged closure.

Visits by the Nation to various schools revealed only a few support staff, mostly guards, are still working but there was a near 100 per cent turnout by tutors.

They, however, went straight to preparing their teaching materials in readiness to receive learners, as directed by the Teachers Service Commission (TSC).

Health guidelines

Others spent the day in meetings, planning how to implement the health guidelines issued by the Education ministry and also how to deliver the curriculum once learners resume.

In a September 21 circular to regional, county and sub-county directors, TSC directed them to “work with relevant stakeholders to ensure thorough cleaning of classrooms, offices, dormitories, school amenities and ensure that the same are in habitable conditions for learners”.

But most support staff were nowhere to be seen yesterday, having gone without pay for the better part of the school closure.

Last week, some took to the streets of Nairobi to protest delayed pay even after the ministry said it had released funds. Teachers expressed frustration with lack of facilities and finances.

Revise the timetable

Many also appeared to favour a phased reopening, with senior classes reporting first.

All the 26 TSC teachers at Kilimani Primary in Nairobi reported but those employed by the board of management did not. Headteacher Lucy Apondi said lack of finances is a huge challenge to the school with 1,316 pupils accommodated in 28 classrooms.

At Olympic Primary in Kibra, pupils were walking in and out to fetch water for household use but some were studying on their own in the classrooms.

Covid-19 protocols

At Temple Road Primary School in Nyeri, all the 18 teachers reported to school. They went round the school assessing and identifying all the tasks that needed to be carried out before pupils came back to school.

They arranged desks in the classes observing the 1.5-metre rule as recommended.

At Stella Maris Othaya Girls, all the teachers reported back and held a meeting on reopening. The chief principal, Jane Wacheke, the meeting sought to plan on the logistics.

“We are organising ourselves into departments to ensure we have people in charge of the Covid-19 protocols,” she said.

Kagumo High School chief principal Cyrus Mwirigi said there was need to revise the school timetable to accommodate the new normal.

“They (teachers) have a lot to do, like knowing how to monitor all the students and ensure that they wear their masks as well as wash their hands and check their temperatures,” he said.

At Waso Secondary in Isiolo County, teachers were in a meeting with the principal when the Nation.

Teachers in Embu County said they were waiting for more directives.

At Moi Mbiruri Boys Secondary School, the teachers said they are determined to ensure students learn in a clean environment when studies resume.

And at Holy Rosary Primary School in Kangema, headteacher Ruth Murigi said tutors were being sensitised on Covid-19 protocols.

At the Hill School Eldoret Primary in Uasin Gishu County, all the 42 teachers (37 employed by TSC) reported by 9am before holding staff meeting.

Social distancing rules

Mr Hesborn Ngaira, the principal, said the school, which has a population of 1,441, might face challenges in implementing social distancing rules.

“It might be difficult to implement the one-metre rule for all the learners. We appeal that they allow phased learning, especially the candidates, since we can accommodate them in our classrooms and boarding facilities,” he said.

Teachers at Mwaani Girls High School in Makueni County deliberated on how the school would adhere to the Covid-19 protocols.

The school has an isolation room in case of a Covid-19 case, Principal Joan Muchina said.

In Turkana County, teachers reported to schools but inadequate facilities might hinder plans to conform to social distancing protocols.

Kaakong Primary School headteacher, Simon Edaan, said the school has a population of 400 pupils with only six permanent classrooms and 100 desks.

“No new classroom has been constructed. We will be forced to erect temporary shades to accommodate some children if we are to conform with the new directives,” Mr Edaan said.

The boys’ latrines were destroyed by heavy rains and the only water pump vandalised.

Chokchok Primary School headteacher, William Kinyonga, said with a population of 360 pupils, the five permanent classrooms are inadequate. Only Standard 7 and 8 use the 10 desks, 18 lockers and 18 chairs as the others sit on the floor.

Improve infrastructure

The board of management at Rakwaro Kamwala Primary School in Rachuonyo North Sub-county in Homa Bay County is in a catch-22 situation after a strong wind blew off the roofs of at least seven classrooms and damaged other infrastructure last week. They have 321 pupils.

At Chavakali Boys in Vihiga County, Principal John Kuria said the 54 teachers on TSC payroll and the 14 others recruited by the Board of Management (BoM) had reported.

Kereri Girls High School principal Teresa Atieno said they are not prepared to receive all students back.

“We will have a big challenge of sleeping space because our dormitories are congested and the girls cannot spend nights in tents because it’s not safe.”

The Kenya National Union of Teachers Kajiado chairman Elie Korinko said most schools in the county are not ready for reopening.

“Our infrastructure was poor even before the outbreak of Covid-19 pandemic. The government must ensure these schools have a source of water and improve infrastructure before classes resume,” he said. Only a few teachers in the county, especially in the rural areas, reported.

Reporting by David Muchunguh, Regina Kinogu, George Munene, Mwangi Muiruri, David Muchui, Waweru Wairimu, Stanly Kimuge, Sammy Lutta, Stanley Ngotho, Ruth Mbula, Derick Luvega, Elizabeth Ojina, George Odiwuor, Ian Byrone, Pius Maundu