As learning remains paralysed in public schools across the country, an organisation based in Kibera’s Karanja Estate has come to the rescue of learners in the area by bringing teachers to assist them.
The free lessons offered by Uweza Foundation, a non-governmental organisation, run on weekdays from 9am to 1pm with the initiative expected to continue until when the teachers strike comes to an end.
According to Mrs Florence Banda, a teacher at the centre, the initiative aims to assist school going children who have now been left in the hands of busy parents as the teachers strike continues to bite.
“We are currently assisting more than 40 children both in primary and secondary school. It is a free programme for pupils and students from Kibra who are affected by the teachers strike,” says Banda.
Lorna Achieng, a form three student at Raila Educational Center appreciates that she can make it to the center and have monitored sessions to assist her with schoolwork.
“I am happy to be here since back at home I would just be staying idle,” she says.
George Opati who is a standard eight pupil at Mbagathi Road Primary School says he is lucky to have gotten a chance to revise for the final examinations while expressing hope that the strike will soon be over.
“It is sad that we are yet to open this term due to the ongoing teachers strike. For now I am glad that I have a place where I can be assisted to prepare well for KCPE,” he said.