Government Extends Compliance Deadline for 348 Boarding Schools Earmarked for Closure.
Directors of 348 boarding schools marked for closure due to non-compliance with safety standards have been granted a four-week extension by the government to meet the required standards.
The decision was reached after a joint meeting between the Ministry of Education and the Private Schools Association.
During the meeting, the association’s head informed ministry officials that most of the affected schools were already addressing their shortcomings. The association clarified that the schools involved were actively working to resolve the identified issues.
This development followed sharp criticism from Members of Parliament, who accused the ministry of making a hasty decision to close the schools without conducting follow-up inspections.
They argued that the schools that had made the necessary renovations should have been reassessed before any closure decision was finalized.
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South Mugirango MP Silvanus Osoro pointed out that ministry officials failed to inspect the schools three months after the initial warning to verify compliance.
Widespread Panic Among Stakeholders
The closure notice, issued on November 27, caused widespread panic among teachers, students, and school directors. Principals and directors condemned the directive, stating that it left them in an impossible position.
They criticized the government for failing to consult them before issuing the directive. Jackson Ombati, a private school director, said the assessment cited in the letter had not been conducted at his school, noting that no ministry officers had visited the institution.
Parents of students in the affected schools also called on the government to reverse its decision. They requested more time to transfer their children to other schools if the closures proceeded.
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The assessment of these schools was triggered by a tragic dormitory fire at Endarasha Hillside Academy, which claimed the lives of 21 boys. Following the incident, calls to close boarding primary schools gained momentum across the country.
In response, the Ministry of Education carried out impromptu evaluations of boarding schools in September and October.
Government Extends Compliance Deadline for 348 Boarding Schools Earmarked for Closure.
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