The Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) party has criticized the government over the closure of a private school in Nairobi.
In a statement on X, ODM noted that the closure of Eastend Junior Academy is as a result of bad leadership.
“Effects of bad leadership,” said ODM with a photo of the notice in which the school management announced the closure.
In the notice dated Tuesday, October 24, Eastend Academy directors informed the parents that the school is closing permanently.
Further, the Directors said the decision was due to a bad business environment currently experienced in Kenya.
Also, it was revealed that the Directors Mr and Mrs Munyambu are over 70 years and cannot continue to manage the school.
“However, as everyone knows the business environment in the country has not been all that good. This latter is exerting a lot of pressure on the Directors and because of their age, they have opted to retire and close the school from next year,” read part of the notice.
Additionally, the Directors stated that their offices will remain open to give parents any assistance.
“We would like to take this opportunity to thank you for the support that you have given to the above school,” the management wrote.
Notably, the announcement of closure comes days before the commencement of Kenya Certificate of Primary Education (KCPE) set for October 30.
School History
The Directors said the school was founded in 1993 and did its first KCPE in the year 2000.
According to the notice “since it started the Directors have devoted their time and resources in order to make it what it is today.”
Speaking during an interview with a local media house, Gachango Munyambu confirmed the notice as the true decision of the Directors.
“They are not false claims. We really are closing permanently, and the reason has been given in the memo,” he noted.
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Private Schools Closed
Nonetheless, according to data from the Economic Survey of 2023 over 7,000 private schools have permanently been closed in the past four years.
This includes roughly 967 private schools that were closed in 2022.
Kenyans React to the School’s Closure
The announcement by the Directors attracted mixed reactions with some criticizing their decision and defending the government.
A user named Boss Tirop argued that the two did not have a succession plan and were just using the school as a retirement hobby.
“If the Director is to retire, must he retire with his business,” questioned John-Chavez.
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Additionally, Heri Kalela explained that a private business thrives with a succession plan and the Directors could have sold the school.
Also, others defended the government arguing that such decision was due to bad leadership and the Director’s age.
“Old age cannot be blamed on leadership of national government. This family did not groom an heir to the business and cannot trust hired staff,” said Frank Omondi.
Others also said closure of schools is a normal thing and should not attract such attention.
