Schools claim they were unfairly targeted in boarding closure order

Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Ogamba when he appeared before Senate Education Committee on December 5,2024 [Elvis Ogina, Standard]

There is confusion following the government’s directive to shut down 348 boarding sections in primary schools for failing to meet safety standards.

The Ministry of Education’s decision, aimed at ensuring learners’ safety, has sparked strong reactions from parents, school administrators, and education experts, who are questioning the fairness of the move.

In releasing the list last week, the Ministry indicated that these institutions had not complied with essential safety guidelines. These include proper emergency exits, appropriate safety measures in dormitories, and up-to-date boarding registration.

However, some schools have denied any violations or disregard of the guidelines, claiming they were wrongfully included in the list.

“I feel our school has been mistakenly flagged,” said Irene Kamaru, director of Kasarani Group of Schools in Nairobi. “We operate as a day school and have never offered boarding facilities. This announcement has caused unnecessary tension among our staff and parents,” she added, calling on the Ministry to “correct the error and apologise” for the damage done to their reputation.

This is not an isolated case. Cathsam School in Nairobi’s Umoja estate also found itself on the list, despite offering only pre-school education and no boarding facilities.

“We do not operate a boarding facility at our Umoja campus,” said the school’s director, adding that they had never been inspected.

In Kisii County, Jackson Ombati, director of Tracer Preparation, accused the Ministry of causing unnecessary panic.

“The letter claims that Ministry officials conducted an assessment, but we haven’t seen anyone from the government here,” Ombati said.

Some schools have, however, taken steps to comply with the safety standards. At Kalya Academy in Kericho County, director Bill Kirui said they had complied with the government’s recommendations and were awaiting confirmation from officials.

“We have addressed all the concerns raised by the Ministry and are just waiting to be given a clean bill of health,” said Kirui.

The situation is particularly challenging for special needs institutions. Kangundo DEB School, which caters to students with visual impairments, was included on the closure list.

“What will happen to our students who rely on boarding facilities? They cannot commute to school daily,” lamented a school administrator who requested to remain anonymous.

Education activist Fred Lau has joined the chorus of criticism, accusing the government of neglecting the infrastructure of special schools.

“Why doesn’t the government provide funding to improve these facilities as required?” Lau asked.

Gabriel Malala, a lecturer at the Kenya Institute of Special Education (KISE) questioned how special needs students would manage without boarding schools.

“These learners depend on boarding facilities for their education. Forcing them to commute is not feasible,” he said.

Former Quality Assurance officer Majani Baridi also criticised the Ministry’s approach.

“This exercise was rushed, and the officers conducting the assessments were not diligent,” he said.

Some legislators have urged the government to reconsider its decision. Mugirango South MP Silvanus Osoro called for the suspension of the directive.

“This selective vetting is unfair to schools that have already made efforts to comply,” Osoro said.

Wajir West MP Farah Mohammed warned that the closure of schools in arid areas would have dire consequences.

“Where will the children go? Their parents are working miles away and cannot afford to send them to distant schools,” he said.

But Ellias Abdi Jillaow, a director in the Ministry, maintains that the closure is necessary to ensure the safety of students.

“If the safety of learners is at risk, and if the boarding of a school is life-threatening, which comes first, life or education?” he posed.