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St. Teresa's Boys' gets four new classrooms, 200 desks from Kamukunji CDF

A block at the St. Teresa's Boys’ Secondary School is pictured on May 22, 2024, during a ceremony to hand over four new classrooms and 200 desks provided by the Kamukunji CDF. (Photo: Kevin Muthoni)

By Hanifa Adan | Wednesday, May 22, 2024

Hundreds of parents and students attended the ceremony on Wednesday, expressing relief that the Constituency Development Fund (CDF) initiative will ease classroom congestion.

Kamukunji Member of Parliament Yusuf Hassan has officially handed over four new classrooms and 200 desks to St. Teresa's Boys' Secondary School in Airbase Ward, as part of efforts to enhance the learning environment for students in the area.

Hundreds of parents and students attended the ceremony on Wednesday, expressing relief that the Constituency Development Fund (CDF) initiative will ease classroom congestion.

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Students of St. Teresa's Boys’ Secondary School attend a ceremony to hand over four new classrooms and 200 desks provided by the Kamukunji CDF on May 22, 2024. (Photo: Ahmed Shafat/EV)

In his speech to the gathering, Yusuf noted that education is the "most important thing and gift you can ever give someone or your child because it is the ladder to better things in life."

"Education has made the big difference that you see in the development of humanity," he said, reiterating his commitment to facilitating, a goal he has pursued since his election.

He also noted that education is the most crucial expectation that citizens have in their elected leaders.

"We have built two secondary schools: Zawadi Mixed Secondary School and our first girls-only school, Our Lady of Mercy. Additionally, we established the first Kamukunji Technical and Vocational College in Airbase Ward and handed over the new Pumwani Primary School, the first primary school in Majengo in 60 years," he reported.

MP Yusuf also spoke about bursaries, reporting that 9,848 students benefitted over the past two weeks and that Kamukunji has spent Sh61 million on education in 2024.

Since the beginning of his tenure, 53,000 students have received bursaries as part of his effort to provide children with a brighter future.

Yusuf also addressed the reconstruction of schools affected by heavy rain and floods, such as Pumwani and Shauri Moyo, and care for displaced residents.

He urged the government to increase the education budget for Kamukunji, given its population of about half a million, which he noted requires better facilities.

"Our schools face many challenges, such as a lack of dining halls, laboratories, and sufficient classrooms. We expect the Education ministry's budget to address these projects," he said.

While highlighting past challenges such as potholed classrooms that were difficult to clean, St. Teresa's Principal John Ngururi said, "We now boast classes that have neat floors and are easy to clean and maintain."

Parents of St. Teresa's Boys’ Secondary School attend a ceremony to hand over four new classrooms and 200 desks provided by the Kamukunji CDF on May 22, 2024. (Photo: Ahmed Shafat/EV)

Ngururi further said the CDF had financed the construction of the school's perimeter wall, enhancing security, and supplied over 300 chairs and desks.

"The school property is now very well secured, deterring students from sneaking out during classes," he said, also citing bursaries that cover primary to university tuition. Eighty-eight bursaries have been awarded to the school so far, and more are expected.

A representative from the sub-county education director's office noted that the floods did not significantly affect the schools due to their decent infrastructure.

"Those who build schools have closed prisons. We are grateful for the efforts to improve education in our constituency," the official, Clement Osano, said.

Kenya celebrated 20 years of the National Government Constituency Development Fund (NG-CDF) on May 3, with President William Ruto challenging legislators to use the funds effectively, saying it would improve their re-election chances.