MP requests funding to rehabilitate Tana River flood-affected schools
Member of Parliament for the Galole Constituency Said Hiribae has made a financial appeal to rebuild schools damaged by flooding.
One of the areas most severely affected by the floods that have wreaked havoc across the nation is the Tana River County constituency.
On Thursday, Hiribae announced that the flooding into the River Tana had destroyed two schools that housed 2,000 students.
Concerned that four other schools were flooded and hence uninhabitable, the lawmaker expressed alarm.
For the constituency to repair schools damaged by floods on higher ground, Sh300 million will be needed.
“We have more than 3,000 learners currently at home, they can’t go to school or access any school compared to other learners,” Hiribae stated.
It is predicted that the entire Tana River county will need to spend Sh3.1 billion on school repairs.
He continued: “They are disadvantaged this term and hence as a leader, I need urgent monetary help for their sake,” he stated.
Makere Primary School, which washed away by the River Tana and left its instructors and kids working under trees, is one of the schools the legislator is hoping to reconstruct.
Ndura Primary, Nyangwani Primary, Chanani Secondary, and Hola Township are a few more.
While students continue to study under trees, Hiribae has since placed the cornerstone for eight classrooms at Makere Primary School on higher ground.
Hiribae pointed out that while it is admirable that President William Ruto has called on Members of Parliament to rehabilitate school infrastructure, Tana River’s situation requires a specific budget because the money is insufficient.
He restated the requirement that every school include at least 14 classrooms, ten restrooms, a kitchen, and an administration block to accommodate more than 15 teachers—a need that the CDF cat is now unable to provide.
“We are headed towards the end of the financial year and some of these projects may be difficult to accomplish without a special budget,” he stated.
In addition, the lawmaker urged the Ministry of Education to provide Tana River schools with additional funding so they could serve a larger student body.
He expressed concern about the impending overcrowding in most of the schools.
He also suggested that this be supported by additional movable infrastructure, such as tents the students might use to protect themselves from the intense sun.
Now is the time to pay attention to Tana River County, as this is the region that now receives all of the water from the upcountry. If our situation is not given the serious attention it needs, our children might not learn this phrase “added the speaker.
John Dhadho, the chairperson of Tana River Civil Society Organizations, has also expressed similar views.
He made a nationwide call to action for capable organizations to unite in support of the county’s schools.
“We have had some of the big organisations like Welthungerhilfe, USAID, European Union, UNDP and FAO among others coming to our rescue at such time, let them not back off, they can use the civil society within to channel that support to the people, “he remarked.
Dhadho pointed out that because the floods have wiped all the achievements earned in devolution over the last six years, the county will require further financial assistance to escape its current predicament.
MP requests funding to rehabilitate Tana River flood-affected schools
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