At the beginning of the first term this year, more than 70 percent of parents with children enrolled at Kinchochorio Primary had transferred them to other schools in Suba Sub-County, Homa Bay. Around the same time, half of the total number of the school’s staff had also sought transfers to other work stations by their employer — the Teachers Service Commission (TSC).
Welcome to Kinchochorio Primary in Gwassi Central location, the school that no one wants to go to. It lies desolate and in ruins atop Gwassi Hills. Locals say most of the school’s woes stem from this location, an uphill five-kilometre trek, making it extremely difficult for teachers and learners to get to the institution.
An aerial view of where Kinchororio Primary School sits atop a hill.
Photo credit: George Odiwuor | Nation Media Group
Many residents here question why the school was not established somewhere more convenient in the first place and have asked for its relocation.
Accessing the school becomes even harder when it rains as the ground becomes slippery, they say, adding that even motorcycles cannot go there during this time. Those who have attempted have scars that are a constant reminder not to attempt to do so again.
In Olusuba, the Bantu language spoken by the Abasuba people, Kinchochorio means fertile ground, but this is far from what you’ll see when you vsit the area.
Verge of closure
A learner at Kinchororio Primary School in Gwassi Central location, Suba Sub-County.
Photo credit: George Odiwuor | Nation Media Group
Now, Kinchororio is on the verge of closure following a mass exit of learners who cited poor access to the institution. Parents say poor access roads leading to the school have made any attempts to refurbish classrooms difficult.
Mr Peter Owiso, a parent, said community members around the school had mobilized resources to make the institution better. However, the state of roads leading to the institution made them abandon their mission.
“We got support from a non-governmental organisation which offered to build new classrooms. It was however difficult to transport construction materials to the site because of the road,” he said.
Teachers posted to the school have also complained of the difficulties they have to undergo when moving from between their homes and work. Several have now asked TSC for a transfer.
Headteacher John Ngar confirmed that three of its seven teachers have since left.
“We currently have four teachers after others were transferred elsewhere,” hesaid.
He says that poor roads around the school have forced pupils to trek up to five kilometres up a steep slope to get to class.
“The entire institution has 149 pupils. This is just a fraction of the number we had one year ago,” he said.
Mr Ngar is now worried that his school will be shut down if all learners desert Kinchororio.
He has called on the government to consider their grievances.
“We want the government to construct a road to the school which can be used by motorists,” Mr Ngar said.
The school’s board chairman Mr Peter Osiwo said their cries for a road upgrade are still going unheard.
“Parents resorted to transfer their children to other schools when they realised the government is slow to address infrastructural challenges,” he said.
Parents who still have their children at the school say they worry the deplorable state of its facilities will lead them to perform dismally.
