349 schools given four weeks to meet safety rules or else...

The Ministry of Education has given primary schools whose boarding facilities were marked for closure four weeks to comply.

The decision comes amid uncertainty for parents, who must explore alternative arrangements before schools reopen on January 6.

Kenya Private Schools Association yesterday said the 348 schools until next month to meet safety and compliance standards.

“We have held discussions with the ministry of Education and the institutions and they are addressing the gaps identified during the audit and they will be reassessed before January for compliance,” said the chairman, Charles Ochome

Speaking at the Kenya Institute of Curriculum Development yesterday during the close of a two-day forum for the Kenya Primary School Heads Association, Ochome said institutions that fail to comply would have to operate as day schools.

Among the deficiencies identified were the absence of fire extinguishers and inadequate entry and exit points.

But the institutions have complained that they were being unfairly targeted, claiming that no inspection was conducted prior to the closure order.

On November 27, the ministry directed the closure of the boarding facilities citing gross violations of safety regulations. 

Basic Education Principal Secretary Belio Kipsang said the schools had failed to comply with the Safety Standards for Basic Education Institutions following an assessment conducted in September and October.

The assessment was prompted by a dormitory fire at the Hill Side Endarasha Academy in Nyeri County in September, which claimed 21 lives and caused significant injuries and property damage.

The incident shone the spotlight on the haphazard implementation of school safety regulations as it emerged that some schools operate outside the set guidelines and standards.

During the audit, Nairobi was found to have the highest number of affected schools, with 44 institutions slated for closure of their boarding facilities. Other affected counties include Kisii with 13 schools, Kiambu (13), Kericho (26), Nandi (15), and Uasin Gishu with 19.

The government has directed the schools to operate as day schools beginning January unless they meet the outlined safety standards. 

In Nairobi, affected schools include Visa Oshwal, Thika Road Primary, Jonathan Gloag, Don Bosco Primary School, St Anna's Preparatory School and Happy Land Academy.

In the meantime, Parliament has criticised the ministry for the failure to ensure compliance.

“I believe the directive was a panic reaction. The ministry sent officers to boarding schools to check compliance after the fire incident at a Nyeri school and gave instructions for adjustments, but they never followed up after the grace period lapsed,” said Silvanus Osoro (South Mugirango).

The MP cautioned that parents would be hard hit if some boarding facilities are closed, and suggested that schools be granted a moratorium to achieve compliance gradually.

Farah Maalim (Daadab) said the decision would adversely affects nomadic families who rely on boarding schools for academic stability.

“The ministry must reassess the compliance status and reinstate boarding facilities in schools that have met the requirements,” he said.

His Emurua Dikirr counterpart Johana Ngeno argued that the directive failed to consider the unique needs of various communities, particularly those for whom boarding schools are indispensable.