Parents Protest Government’s Plan to Evict Students from Kenneth Marende Primary School
Parents of Kenneth Marende Primary School pupils in Luanda, Vihiga County, have strongly opposed a government directive forcing the relocation of the school.
The Ministry of Education issued the order after a gold mining company reportedly discovered gold deposits in the area.
Angry parents stormed the school premises, protesting the government’s decision to move the school.
They expressed suspicion about the timing and handling of the matter, noting that the letter from the Ministry of Education was dated January 3 but was only delivered on January 13, just days before the relocation deadline.
The letter, which was addressed to the Vihiga County Director of Education, stated that a gold mining company had identified gold deposits in the area, referred to as Ramul Amoibona.
Parents questioned why they were not informed earlier and accused the government of withholding crucial details about the situation.
“We demand answers! Why is this company here? Why were we not informed earlier about the plan to relocate our school?” one parent questioned during the protest.
Another parent expressed frustration, stating, “We haven’t even reviewed the letter or given our response as a school board, yet the company has already come demanding we vacate.”
The parents argued that the directive lacked proper public participation, which they believe should have involved the local community before any decisions were made.
They are now concerned about where the school will be relocated and whether the new location will be easily accessible for their children. The majority of parents firmly insisted they would not leave the current school grounds.
Meanwhile, the gold mining company has already begun the process of acquiring a mining license.
The company is pressuring the school board to provide a consent letter indicating there is no objection to their mining operations.
However, the school administration revealed that no official negotiations or offers regarding the government’s acquisition of the land had taken place.
Gold mining remains a key economic activity in the region, raising concerns that financial interests could be prioritized over the welfare of the children and the community.
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