Fear has gripped learners and teachers following the sinking of four classrooms at Holy Trinity Girls Secondary School Serewo in West Pokot County, after they developed huge cracks.

Students are currently attending classes, but gripped by anxiety and fear due to the dilapidated condition of the buildings in the boarding school.

The cracks and the eventual sinking of the classrooms, the school management says, has been caused by the poor drainage system in the area, especially after a long period of sustained heavy downpour.

The principal, Gladys Andiema, says several cracks have developed in the buildings while plaster often falls creating panic among the students.

“I have informed the matter to the higher authorities. We are taking classes after moving students to another room but the library and a number of classrooms are in risky condition,” Andiema told TV47 Digital.

The school management has been forced to relocate learners to other already squeezed classrooms for their safety.

“The buildings are almost falling on students. We have informed the matter to the Education office and they are assessing the situation. Once we get the report, we’ll send it to the higher authorities concerned.” She says.

Kapenguria MP Samuel Moroto, who visited the school on Sunday, June 9 says, an expert will have to inspect the cracks and advise on the way forward to handle the situation.

However, MP Moroto says the classrooms need to be built afresh.

“The classrooms need to be put down and start building afresh. We want the World Bank to continue with construction of other classrooms,” he said.

The school’s Board of Management Chairperson Obadia Mnangat Katula said there is a need for partners to intervene.

“We parents are very worried, because cracks in the school walls widen; there will be a problem,” he says.