KNUT, Parents Criticizes Boarding School Closures Over Safety Concerns.
The Kenya National Union of Teachers (KNUT) Bureti branch has condemned the government’s decision to shut down boarding sections of 348 schools due to non-compliance with safety standards.
The branch’s Executive Secretary, Alfred Rop, argued that the affected schools should have been allowed time to address the issues rather than facing abrupt closures. He emphasized the challenges posed to parents and children, particularly the difficulty of transferring learners to new institutions.
Speaking to the press, Rop empathized with parents whose children were affected and advised them to begin searching for alternative schools to minimize disruptions in the upcoming academic year.
He stressed that moving students from one institution to another is a complex process. According to him, the government should have worked with school proprietors to improve safety standards instead of shutting down the schools.
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He called on proprietors and aspiring school owners to prioritize safety, noting that their facilities cater to human beings whose well-being must come first.
KNPA Bomet Chapter Condemns the Move
The Kenya National Parents Association (KNPA) Bomet Chapter also criticized the school closures.
Its Executive Secretary, Stephen Koskey, described the move as a violation of children’s fundamental rights and urged the government to reverse its decision.
Koskey questioned the timing of the closures, wondering why the safety issues were not addressed earlier. He warned that the closures would cause unnecessary suffering for children, suggesting that the schools should have been given an opportunity to rectify the problems.
“The closure of the schools was unnecessary and will cause unnecessary suffering to children. Which danger have they seen now? These schools should have been given an opportunity to address the problems,” noted Koskey.
Support for Government Action on Safety
In contrast, the Nakuru County Education Committee Chair, Professor Moses Malawi, defended the government’s decision, emphasizing the need to prioritize student safety. He explained that the government has inspection reports for all schools in the country and insisted that both boarding and day schools must undergo rigorous inspections.
While acknowledging the investments made by school proprietors, Malawi maintained that safety takes precedence.
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He pointed out that safety lapses could have severe implications, involving various departments, including the Ministry of Health. Malawi further questioned when the affected schools were last inspected.
The closure of the schools has sparked a debate on balancing safety compliance with ensuring access to education. While some stakeholders advocate for immediate safety reforms, others stress the need for gradual adjustments to avoid disruptions for learners.
KNUT, Parents Criticizes Boarding School Closures Over Safety Concerns.
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