By Betty Luke
ISIOLO, KENYA- The government has initiated efforts to revive once revered academic giant Garbatulla High School following appeals by local leaders and prominent persons who studied at the institution.
Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua Friday asked Education CS Ezekiel Machogu to move with speed and put in place measures to revert the school back to ‘its old golden state’.
“Move with speed and reinstate the glory of the school that was known for its excellence,” DP Gachagua told the CS during a fundraiser at Isiolo Girls High School.
Mr Gachagua was responding to an appeal by Moyale MP Jaldesa Guyo Wako who during the event attended by Isiolo Governor Abdi Ibrahim Guyo, several MPs and government officers called for revival of the school.
“I joined the school 46 years ago and left six years later. Three students studied Medicine and the rest pursued various courses,” the MP said, recalling how the school was a household name in the country.
The gynecologist implored CS Machogu to expedite the work so that the school reclaims its lost glory and competes with other academic giants in the country.
CS Machogu said his Ministry would soon dispatch officers to a fact-finding mission at the school in readiness for the revival of the sleeping giant.
Located about 130 Kilometres away from Isiolo town, the school during its heydays attracted students from across the country, competing with the likes of Alliance, Starehe and Mang’u schools in the national examinations.
Started in 1974 through a partnership between the government, residents and then National Christian Churches (NCCK) and the Protestant Agency for Development Aid, the institution was initially meant to support children whose parents were affected by the Shifta war.
Among its alumnae are former Treasury CS Ukur Yatani, Isiolo Senator Fatuma Dullo, former Governor Mohammed Abdi Kuti, Eldas MP Adan Keynan, Moyale MP Jaldesa Guyo Waqo, Isiolo’s pioneer Deputy Governor Simba Guleid and first Isiolo Woman Representative and National Land Commission commissioner Tiya Galgalo.
Its performance lasted until 1990s when enrolment and performance started nosediving and consequently lost its national school status.
Insecurity, poor management and lack of ownership by the community have been blamed for the school’s gradual decline, with pioneer Governor Godana Doyo during his tenure calling for its closure and establishment of a college or university within the precincts.
Frequent clashes between communities in Isiolo and neighbouring Garissa counties made parents shy away from enrolling their children at the institution.
“The school is privileged to have a national school-like infrastructure that should not be put to waste. It is high time we think of having a facility for higher learning instead of having all the infrastructure remain idle,” Mr Doyo had advised.
The institution has in the last five years had an enrolment of between 80 and 150 students.
