St William learning centre in Otonglo Kisumu County is one of the institutions facing closure since it does not meet construction standards. County officials claimed that many of such schools do not have play grounds but continue to charge pupils exorbitantly thus swindling parents and putting children’s health at risk. [PHOTO: COLLINS ODUOR/STANDARD]

Kisumu County Government has put on notice owners of pre-school education centres that do not meet construction and safety standards.

This follows reports of mushrooming makeshift schools, mainly constructed using galvanised corrugated iron sheets. County officials say many of such crude institutions do not have toilets and are not fenced.

There have been increasing cases of rape and attacks targeting school children in the region. County Education Youth Executive Jennifer Kere said such schools will soon be closed to save children from respiratory diseases and rapists.

“Shrewd businessmen are taking advantage of our children and continue to swindle parents. We are concerned that such practices make children vulnerable to violence,” said Ms Kere.

She revealed that in Kisumu East District alone, there are 64 such facilities, but only eight meet quality and safety standards.

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Many such schools have sprung up in informal settlements of Manyatta, Nyalenda, Obunga, Nyawita and Bandani areas.

In an effort to tame the practice, the county is currently consolidating a report on the number of such schools.