Simba School
Date started: November 2005
Date completed: March 2008
Cost of project: £80,000
Size of school: Double stream school built for 640 pupils
One liner: Perhaps the most impressive school we have built so far. It can be seen by everyone travelling on the Gilgil-Thompsons Fall road. The old building had two condemned classrooms and all others were incomplete and badly over-crowded. There appeared to be no plans for restoration.
Pictures:
The new school in all its glory!
The old school had two condemned classrooms, no concrete floors, no verandahs, few windows, inadequate ventilation and leaking roofs and no fresh water. It did have, however, a remarkable Headmaster.
Current Status: In October 2008 there were 546 children learning in this school, of which 94 are 'Internally Displaced' following the post election chaos earlier in the year. It seems few, if any, will return to their former homes in Western Kenya.
More info: The Handover Ceremony was held in February 2008. It was a colourful ceremony with the Guest of Honour being the new MP. On the opposite side of the road 72 acres have been earmarked for new housing. Pupil numbers at this school are steadily increasing. In anticipation of this we have designs and plans for the extension of this remarkable school. At today’s prices this will cost a further £35,000, including another 75 cubic meters rainwater tank. The magnificent new library is very well stocked with thousands of reading books. The new staffroom has personal desk spaces and lockable cupboards for all members of staff. Mr Wathuta, the headteacher, has been given a five year extension by the Government of Kenya in line with their new policy. Remarkably the pupils under his leadership were the fifth most improved government school in the Republic in 2009! Typically for him he gives much credit for this extraordinary result to KST.
In February 2010 a beautiful model aeroplane, in the livery of the ones that brought thousands of library books to Kenya for Simba Primary School, has been mounted in a glass cabinet and positioned centrally in the library. The model will be presented annually to the pupil who, in the opinion of the headteacher, has contributed most to the life of the school. The names of winners will be inscribed for all to see. It is hoped that this award will inspire future generations of young children at the school..