10,000 Learners Out Of School As 300 Schools Are Closed

More than 10,000 students are out of school as the government ordered the closure of 300 substandard schools and urged parents to enroll their children in nearby public schools ahead of the national examinations.

The government resorted to conducting a countrywide crackdown on schools whose infrastructures were of inferior quality two weeks ago after a classroom block collapsed in Nairobi’s Precious Talent Academy, killing eight pupils.

The Ministry of Education instructed officials to have school infrastructure thoroughly assessed and a comprehensive report provided by the end of October 2019.

While the government’s decision to shut down schools was meant to protect learners from tragedies like the one witnessed at Precious Talent, the move has been met by resistance from parents and stakeholders.

Parents who have been instructed to enroll their children in nearby public schools have complained citing issues such as the school’s proximity and overcrowded classrooms owing to the shortage of teachers that has continued to plague the education sector.

It also emerged that most schools supported by NGOs offered free lunch and uniform apart from using poor infrastructure to attract donors.

Stakeholders argue that the government is only acting on impulse after the tragedy that befell Precious Talent School, and that there should be a better way of handling the issue on learners’ safety.

“Education Principal Secretary Belio Kipsang’s circular is an emotive reaction to the recent tragedy, which we understand, but his move is not the best way to make policy decisions,” said Mr. Allan Juma Masika of the Kenya Alliance of Non-Formal Schools Welfare Association.

Education officials are however adamant as they insist that learners should be safe and that any school that does not meet the set standards will be shut down.

Education Cabinet Secretary Prof. George Magoha while speaking about school inspection said that all private schools in informal settlements supported by NGOs should be subjected to scrutiny.

“We will not allow people to trade with our children, but that does not mean that we are against private schools. If a school complies with our standards, they will be allowed to operate,” said Prof. Magoha, acknowledging that the failure of his ministry in inspecting schools contributed to the death of eight pupils.