By A, KNA
The Kenya Pipeline Company (KPC), through its corporate social responsibility arm, KPC Foundation, has officially inaugurated a new classroom block comprising three classrooms at St. Joseph Comprehensive school in Elburgon ward, Molo Sub-County in an effort to boost education infrastructure in the area.
The investment, worth Sh6 million, aims to enhance access to quality education in the school giving them an opportunity to compete favorably with other learners across the country and also to expose them to technology at an early stage of learning.
Speaking during the commissioning of the classroom, Energy CS, Opiyo Wandayi, who was the chief guest, noted that school infrastructure development helps to boost the education status in most schools urging other corporate entities to mirror KPC on CSR.
“We must give priority to matters of education if we dare dream of reaching the Singapore dream. Education is the only opener to any youth life as it enlightens them on the career progression hence empowering them based on their abilities,” said CS Wandayi.
KPC Managing Director, Joe Sang noted that as a company they remain committed in partnering with education stakeholders to enhance the levels of education across the 47 counties with core focus on the PWDs learners who are sidelined in most parts of the country on education matters.
“This is a great milestone today to KPC Foundation and St. Joseph Comprehensive school. As a company we are delighted to partner with the education stakeholders in impactful projects which aim at transforming lives directly,” said Sang.
“As a company we have commissioned over 175 classrooms, dormitories and administration blocks since 2017 at a cost of Sh250 million. In Nakuru county this classroom project in Molo constituency is the third project this financial year,” he added.
Besides infrastructure, KPC Inuka scholarship program provides secondary education scholarships for a girl and a boy living with disabilities from humble backgrounds in 47 counties each year. The program is currently sponsoring students up to tertiary level.
Since its inception in 2017, the program has enabled 839 students to pursue their education by offering them scholarships at secondary school and beyond.
“At KPC, we believe education is the most powerful equalizer. By expanding the Inuka Program to include vocational training, we are responding directly to the realities facing our youth and equipping them with practical skills that translate into employment, entrepreneurship, and sustainable livelihoods,” said Mr. Sang.
Molo MP, Kuria Kimani, applauded the company for extending their charity to Molo constituency noting that it’s through such partnership that the constituency will be able to offer quality education to all learners.
Kuria took the opportunity to caution school heads against charging parents illegal levies noting that such a move will block students from their basic right to education.
“I want to sincerely thank the management of KPC for finding it worthy to invest on Molo learners. This structure will enhance the access to education giving our students quality education,” said Kuria.
“This new school block represents hope and opportunity for students here at St. Joseph. In Molo constituency, we believe that everyone deserves access to quality education and a chance to shape their future,” he added.
Nakuru Governor, Susan Kihika took the opportunity to thank KPC for support in education, urging them to extend their support to ECDE centers and health sector.
Kihika highlighted some milestone achieved by the county in education sector ranging from county Uji program which aim at providing nutritious food to learners beside reducing absenteeism rate.
The governor noted that the county government of Nakuru has rolled out a pilot program and starting next term where ECDE learners in Elburgon ward will not pay anything to access education.
“We are starting a pilot program here in Elburgon ward which will see ECDE centers offer free education and no parent will be required to pay anything,” she added.
With the addition of new classrooms, improved science learning facilities, computer lab and access to clean water, St. Joseph Comprehensive School is now better equipped to offer a brighter future for its students
