boarding sections in 348 primary schools. Photo/ Courtesy
By KPC Reporter
Boarding sections of 348 primary schools have been closed by the government for failure to meet safety standards.
Education’s Principal Secretary (PS) Belio Kipsang said that the affected schools grossly contravened the Safety Standards Manual for Schools (2008).
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“Further, they did not adhere to the standards as prescribed in Registration Guidelines for Basic Education Institutions,” Dr Kipsang said in a circular to regional, county and sub-county directors of education.
Most of the affected schools are privately owned.
The circular followed countrywide assessment of schools’ compliance to safety standards in September and October.
Sources told KPC that during the exercise, teams assessed schools’ disaster preparedness, and the state of accommodation and sanitation facilities, among others.
The assessment appeared to be a reaction after several boys perished during a fire tragedy at Hillside Endarasha Boarding School in Nyeri County.
The dormitory housed 156 students, the majority of whom escaped.
During a joint mass of pupils who died during the fire incident, Education CS Julius Ogamba noted that the tragedy was a turning point and everything will be done to ensure anything similar does not recur.
“Schools should be a safe haven for children and parents should not live in constant fear of their safety,” Ogamba said.
Kipsang directed his officers to ensure that sections of boarding in the affected schools are closed.
A list of the 348 schools was attached to the circular.
Over 40 of the institutions are from within Nairobi.
Some counties including Nyamira did not feature in the list.
Kipsang directed that the boarding sections of the listed schools can only operate after they undergo re-registration.
“You are required to ensure that affected parents are informed in good time for them to make alternative arrangements for their children,” the PS said.
There have been a number of incidents of fires at Kenyan boarding schools in recent years, prompting national concerns about safety standards.
A report released in 2020 by the country’s auditor general said many schools lack proper equipment to handle fires and many dormitories are not constructed in accordance with government regulations.
School fires in Kenya have a long and tragic history, with incidents becoming more frequent and alarming over the past few decades.
The first significant wave of school fires occurred in the 1990s, particularly in secondary schools, often linked to student protests, strikes, and general unrest.
These fires were typically a result of students expressing dissatisfaction with school conditions, administration, or other grievances.
The lack of proper facilities, poor governance in schools, overcrowding, and inadequate supervision contributed to these tensions, leading to arson as a form of protest.
The government and educational stakeholders introduced various reforms, such as improved school management practices, the construction of fire-resistant buildings, and increased surveillance, but the problem continues to persist.
In recent years, the trend of school fires has seen a worrying uptick, with many fires starting in dormitories.
The causes are multifaceted, ranging from student frustrations to deliberate acts of vandalism, and they continue to be a significant challenge for Kenya’s education system.
Meanwhile, various stakeholders have welcomed the latest move by the government to direct the affected 348 schools to close their boarding sections for failure to meet safety standards.
Wadau wa Elimu Kenya, a group comprising of various education stakeholders welcomed the move, urging school managers to prioritize learners and staff safety.
“Conduct regular safety audit, fire drills and emergency preparedness training,” the group’s editorial team said.
Schools should also have structurally sound infrastructure and safe electricity systems.
“Implement robust security measures and maintain clear communication channels,” the professionals said.
They said that by taking such proactive steps, the risk of incidents and accidents will be significantly reduced.
