Mumias Central Comprehensive School in Mumias West Constituency, Kakamega County, has appealed to stakeholders and well-wishers to support the construction of additional classrooms to ease congestion and improve the learning environment.
The Head of Institution, Mr Francis Obwamu, said the school’s long-standing reputation for excellence in both academic and co-curricular activities has led to a steady rise in student enrolment, placing significant pressure on the available facilities.
According to Mr Obwamu, the institution currently hosts more than 3,500 learners, a number that has stretched the existing infrastructure beyond capacity.
“We are a premier institution in the region and the country, but our hands are tied by the shortage of learning spaces. In some streams, a single classroom accommodates more than 85 learners, making effective lesson delivery very difficult,” he said.
He explained that the congestion has also complicated the implementation of the Competency-Based Education (CBE) curriculum, which is learner-centred and requires close interaction between teachers and students.
“With the new curriculum emphasising individualised learning, it becomes challenging for teachers to monitor and support every learner effectively when classrooms are overcrowded,” he added.
Mr Obwamu commended Mumias Sugar Company for donating the 18 acres of land on which the school stands. He also expressed gratitude to the Mumias West Constituency Development Fund (CDF) for supporting the construction of several classrooms at the institution.
However, he noted that more infrastructure is still required and expressed hope that the school will soon construct a storey classroom block to address the growing demand for space.
Despite the congestion, the school continues to attract learners from across the region due to its strong academic reputation.
“Many parents still want to admit their children here. It becomes very difficult to turn away a parent who believes in the school and wants their child to study here,” he said.
Mr Obwamu also acknowledged the confidence local leaders have shown in the school’s leadership, noting that even the Kakamega County Governor entrusted the institution with the education of his children, a move that has further strengthened the school’s reputation.
As a champion of the Competency-Based Education system in Mumias West, Mr Obwamu also highlighted several challenges affecting the implementation of the curriculum in many schools.
These include a shortage of laboratories, inadequate teaching staff, and a lack of learning materials, particularly in junior schools.
He further pointed out that inconsistencies in the National Education Management Information System (NEMIS) have also affected funding.
“Some learners miss out on capitation because their details fail to appear in the system despite schools submitting accurate data. For instance, although we have about 3,500 learners, some still miss out on government funding,” he explained.
Mr Obwamu, however, remained optimistic that the seven key competencies and values embedded in the new curriculum will greatly benefit learners if supported with adequate infrastructure and resources.
“As a school, we have laid a strong foundation to help our learners achieve the best. We therefore humbly appeal to stakeholders to support us in constructing more classrooms to ease congestion,” he said.
