Confusion has marred schools directed to shut down operations by the Government through the Ministry of Education over safety concerns.
A section of school owners and directors has claimed that, in some cases, no inspection was conducted before their institutions were ordered to close.
“What I can say is that it was not fair to us because, according to the letter, it was indicated that the assessment was done by the ministry. I want to be very sincere that we haven’t received any officers from the ministry,” said Jackson Ombati, Director of Tracer Preparatory, one of the schools affected.
Another school head criticized the government for inconsistency, stating that they were not consulted, nor were their schools evaluated in any manner before the directive was implemented.
Government accused by school heads for not consulting them before closure of schools
“There were one or two things that we were supposed to rectify and already we have started rectification, and I want to believe by early or the beginning of December 2024 we will be done,” said a stakeholder in Highrise Academy.
Her sentiments were equally echoed by another stakeholder within Kericho County at Kalya Academy, Bill Kirui.
Also Read: CS Ogamba Responds to Concerns Over Looming Early Closure of Schools
“Some of the findings were that we needed to have worked on certain areas in the boarding sections that has been done, and we are awaiting an assessment this coming week from the Ministry of Education,” Kirui said.
However, the boarding schools affected by the Ministry of Education directive have been given time to comply and will be reinstated if they comply by the guidelines the Ministry issued following the fire incident that occurred at Endarasha primary school on September 6, 2024.
“We would advocate for a situation whereby there is intense stakeholder engagement especially on very crucial matters.
Ministry of Education orders closure of 348 primary schools
There are people who are worried outside there thinking what they are going to do. Where am I going to take my child,” an education official said.
The school heads dissatisfaction comes days after the Ministry of Education ordered the immediate closure of boarding sections in 348 primary schools across the country.
Also Read: Govt Orders Immediate Inspection of All Schools After Endarasha Deadly Fire
According to the Ministry, this decision followed an extensive assessment conducted in September and October 2024 to evaluate the adherence of these institutions to the Safety Standards Manual for Schools (2008) and the Registration Guidelines for Basic Education Institutions (2021).
In a circular dated November 27, 2024, Education Principal Secretary Belio Kipsang, revealed that the schools in question were found to have grossly violated key safety provisions.
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