Koguta primary school in Suna West, Migori County could be one of Kenya’s poorest schools in terms of infrastructure.
To start with, teachers at the school-10 in number- have no staffroom; they take cover under a tree where they sit on wooden chairs and go on with their business every day.
In the makeshift classrooms housing over 50 students, pupils have to use few stones available as their desks while others are forced to place their writing materials on muddy floors.
For pupils in lower primary, they have to make do with appalling structures; some made of mud that have no roof and have gaping holes in them.
Pupils in upper classes are the only ones who enjoy learning under permanent structures but again, each desk accommodates five pupils.
The school’s headteacher John Mathira Bita said the school started in 2011 and has a population of 200 students.
He added it has been grappling with infrastructural challenges.
“Our pupils are facing challenges despite the growing importance of Early Childhood Education in the country,” said Bita according to the Standard.
He said the money allocated to the school by government for free primary education is not enough. It only receives Sh60, 000 in a year which goes to maintenance and miscellaneous expenses.
“The money which is provided for free primary education is not enough to help us erect a staff room or get desks for pupils,” he said adding his house within the school compound serves as a store and a shelter for teachers whenever it rains.
The permanent structures at the school were funded by CDF in 2015.
During the rainy season, pointed out Caroline Otieno, a teacher at the school, they are forced to share classrooms.
But most pupils stay away from school during the rainy season. “During the rainy season, many pupils do not come to school.”
The school’s first KCPE lot sat for their examination in 2015 where the leading candidate scored 278 marks.
In 2016, the leading candidate scored 302 marks while last year the first candidate scored 333 marks.