Barrick invests Sh240m in modern school laboratories

TARIME: BARRICK North Mara Mine has invested 240 million/- in constructing three modern science laboratories at Nyabichune Secondary School in Tarime District, in an initiative expected to strengthen science education and encourage more students to pursue science-related careers.

The laboratories, dedicated to Physics, Biology and Chemistry, have been established under the Barrick-Twiga Future Forward Education Programme, through which the mining company, in partnership with the government, supports improvements in education infrastructure.

Located in Matongo Ward, Nyamongo Township, the facilities are expected to provide a better learning environment for students and support the government’s efforts to promote Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) education.

Nyabichune Secondary School teacher Patrick Gabriel said the investment had already generated greater interest in science subjects, with enrolment in Physics doubling from 20 students last year to 40.

“The successful implementation of this project, using high-quality and modern construction standards, has addressed major challenges facing science teaching at our school,” he said during a journalists’ tour of the company’s community development projects.

He said access to improved facilities had boosted students’ enthusiasm and contributed to better academic performance, expressing confidence that the school could produce professionals in fields such as geology and mining.

The school has 489 students from Form One to Form Four.

Beyond education, Barrick North Mara has invested 335 million/- in constructing three staff houses at Nyangoto Health Centre to address accommodation shortages and improve healthcare delivery.

Health centre patron Abduladhimu Sued Ally said the houses, including two semi-detached units, had enabled five health workers who previously lived far away to move closer to the facility.

He said the arrangement allowed medical personnel to respond more quickly, particularly during night-time emergencies.

The centre attends to between 226 and 305 inpatients monthly, while 780 to 1,000 outpatients receive treatment and are discharged within the same period.

Residents have welcomed the development, with Catherine Enock saying having health workers living near the facility could improve emergency response and help save lives.

Meanwhile, Matongo Secondary School is benefiting from a 172 million/- modern administration block constructed through the company’s corporate social responsibility programme.

The school’s second master, Boniphace Shagembe, said the facility had helped address administrative challenges while supporting efforts to improve access to education for children from Matongo and Kitenga villages.

He said the establishment of the school had reduced the need for students to travel long distances to Nyamongo Secondary School, a situation that previously contributed to dropouts, particularly among girls.

The Barrick-Twiga Future Forward Education Programme seeks to expand and improve infrastructure in government secondary schools, particularly those offering Advanced Level education, to increase opportunities for students to progress to higher education.

Through its wider corporate social responsibility programme, Barrick North Mara also supports initiatives in healthcare, water supply, economic empowerment and community infrastructure