Students from St. Joseph’s Bulondo secondary school have today stormed the County Commissione’s office in Bungoma County with an intent to raise their voices over the failure of the school administration in ensuring smooth and proper learning, an issue that has left their right to access good education in limbo.
The boys and girls from the Sub-County school which is both mixed and day started their journey today on foot at 7 am carrying leaves and singing songs that clearly stated their problems. The school president who led others to the authorities said that they have waited for a change for a long time and none has come thus forcing them to report the issue.
“From January we have not been taught Geography and Chemistry since we have no teachers teaching those subjects, our lessons end at noon and we are asked to go home in the afternoon like primary pupils, we have no food in school despite paying some good amount of school fees and we are tired of this,” stated the school president.
He also said that the principal, Richard Okute who is supposed to ensure things fall in place only shows up in school on Mondays and Fridays.
The Assistant County Commissioner, Christine Wafula listened to 5 students who represented others in her office and she asked them to be patient so that the matter can be discussed in the school on Monday morning.
” We have listened to all your problems and we want to congratulate you since you value your education that’s why you are here today and you have not destroyed people’s property along the way while coming here. We will provide you with a lorry to take you back in school so that you can take your books and other belongings and go direct home to rest and on Monday all of you should come with your parents in school so that we discuss your issues together and provide lasting solutions, “she said.
Bungoma Police Officer Commanding Station (OCS), David Odongo who earlier cooled down the angry students and led them inside the County Commissioner’s grounds, provided the tired and hungry students with drinking water and asked them to be disciplined, work hard in their studies and avoid the ‘ disco matangas’ which will only lead them to drugs and early pregnancy among the girls.
He however congratulated the students for the courageous step they have taken in order to fight for their rights as stated in the constitution.
By Charles Kiprono
