Kenya Fluorspar

The company has its own primary school, with approximately 270 pupils, a teaching staff of 14 and five support staff. We take justifiable pride in the fact that the school has been rated consistently in the top 10 in the District since 2006. In 2011 we attained position No 5 in the District. Fluorspar Primary School also has the distinction of being crowned National Champions at Kenya’s Annual Music Festival a few years ago.

A full range of prescribed and supplementary books and education material is provided for each class to assist in ensuring quality education. In addition to the normal curriculum we have established a computer training facility and we are in the process of upgrading the computer lab to a state of the art facility with 25 of the latest computers.
 
In addition the School has acquired 2 smart boards during 2011 for classes 7 and 8 as a trial. These units are interactive and will assist in the education process encouraging participation from the students.

The Company has enhanced the school by adding the same interactive boards for classes 4-6 with the result that the full upper primary section now has access to e-learning.

The school is also extending the boarding facility to ensure that students from classes 4 to 8 will board with effect from this year. The pupils board at the school where basic meals and facilities are provided. A cook and housemother look after their needs. Additional classes are also given by the teachers in the evenings and at weekends especially to classes 7 and 8.

Parents contribute 50 per cent towards the cost, while the company’s total commitment to the school comes in at around US $ 120,000 a year.

The education facilities received a major boost in 2008 when Fluorspar chairman Charles Field-Marsham and his wife Rita funded the construction of a new nursery school.

The new 90-pupil school was constructed by the local community with technical assistance from the Free The Children Organisation. The official opening was a colourful occasion attended by hundreds of parents and children as well as local dignitaries.

The school has a library stocked with approximately 2 000 reading books in Swahili and English. A new modern library is in the process of being built and will be ready by end April 2012.