Tigoni shines 63 years later, still counting

Tigoni Primary School in session. [Photo: Kibera Mbugua/Standard]

By Joe Ombuor

An artificial and a natural forest are among the rare facets of Tigoni Primary School that make it stand out as truly unique. The school is 63 years old today.

The natural forest is part of the history of the school that dates back to 1949 when the first class of pupils, all of them children of white settlers, started learning there after they were transferred from the Brackenhurst Golf Club House nearby.

From the initial six trees that the pioneer white pupils planted and tended, the forest has grown over the years into a two-acre green haven pulsating with plant and plant life. It is a living reflection of the generations of pupils who have been through the school.

The tree cover interspersed with indigenous varieties includes cypress, blue gum, wattle, acacia and grevillea Robusta.

Says Head teacher Mrs Miriam Kioko, who has steered the school for the last five years: “This forest is the mirror through which we see our sons and daughters who have passed through this school because each one of them has planted and tended a tree, from the oldest ones — aged over 60 years — to the youngest ones planted by children in the pre-primary unit.

Adds Mr Simeon Kamau who teaches science: “It comes in handy for purposes of learning. Our children need only go into the forest to see many of the insects, plants, birds, mammals, reptiles and amphibians they read about in their science lessons.

Giant parking

The forest is an economic asset too, supplying all the timber the school requires for furniture.

The artificial forest at this school perched on a chilly terrain 7,000 metres above sea level is a daily phenomenon when the school is in session and the children, most of who travel from far, have to be dropped and picked.

It is fascinating to see hundreds of vehicles turn the school compound into a giant parking lot of sorts daily as they jostle for space to drop or pick children. Mrs Kioko says more than 100 vehicles, many of them matatus, drop and pick children daily.

While the natural forest continues to flourish with the abundant rainfall in Limuru area and sustained afforestation by the pupils, the artificial forest is bound to get thinner when the school puts up boarding facilities for its upper primary pupils.

Kioko says as a prerequisite of the proposed boarding project, a major harambee fund raising has been planned for July 7.

“We call upon old boys and girls to join friends of the school and parents to support us in this project,” she appeals, adding that a fundraising walk will precede the harambee on June 23.

“The school attracts pupils from far due to its good academic performance and extracurricular prowess. Boarding facilities will help such pupils concentrate better on their studies instead of spending valuable time travelling to and from school as has been the case,” says Kioko.

Boarding project

Like all public schools, Tigoni, with a current population of 1,378 primary school pupils and 303 pre-unit pupils, was affected by the influx that came with free primary education programme in 2003. Kioko says boarding facilities will help the school regain its former glory among the country’s leading academic giants.

Exit forests. Enter golf, the perceived game of the wealthy. You may not believe it, but pupils of Tigoni are budding golfers, thanks to sponsorship by professional golfer Rose Naliaka whose fondness for the school knows no bounds. She sponsors talented pupils to the Limuru Country Club just across the fence.

It may not have produced professional golfers, but many budding ones look forward to this.

Tigoni is also known for its prowess in drama festivals with performances up to national level every year.

Albert Kimani aka Jonny who featured in the popular Tahidi High television programme transited from the school in the year 2000. Linda Muthama of the Tusker Project fame is a 1998 product of the school.