Thousands of parents flocked Lugari schools for admission of the first Cohort of Junior secondary school learners.
Despite numerous challenges facing the new education system ranging from poor infrastructure in school, lack of learning materials and teachers among others most roads were flooded by parents and students heading to various approved primary schools for the registration with their expectations soaring high.
At Lumakanda Township primary school over 130 candidates ware admitted in the first day with the school head Mr. Paul Simiyu disclosing that the school is expected to admit more than 250 learners.
“We have about 200 pupils who sat their KPSEA examination here and we have received more than 50 new applicants. The school has enough classrooms, we are only waiting for books and teachers to be posted then we will be ready to go,” said Mr. Simiyu.
On uniforms he said the school had made arrangements with Lumakanda county polytechnic which is making the uniforms at a price of Kshs 3,000 for boys and Kshs. 2,500 for girls. He however said parents were free to buy them elsewhere as long as they observe the quality and color.
At Mbajo primary school a total of 90 students were admitted where according to the school head teacher Tobias Omusale the school has a target of 230 students.
He said the school has four classrooms set aside for the junior secondary though they are in pathetic condition and require renovation to make them conducive for the learners a part from constructing a laboratory and more sanitation facilities.
He said there is also need to put in place measures on the feeding program saying a part from teachers, more subordinate staffs are required.
Mr. Omusale who is also the Western region Kenya Primary School Heads Association chairman urged his colleagues to ensure the historic transition is successful.
According to Lugari Sub County education director Magdalene Igwatai a total of 55 public primary schools out of 60 and 15 private schools out of 33 were approved to host junior secondary schools
