56 Schools Overcrowded, 9 Fail Standards as County Issues New Orders.
The Tharaka Nithi County Security Committee has directed schools across the county to address safety and infrastructural deficiencies identified during a comprehensive assessment of boarding facilities conducted in learning institutions.
The directive was issued following a County Security Committee meeting held at Kathituni Primary School in Chuka, where county officials, education stakeholders and security agencies reviewed the findings of the assessment and agreed on measures to enhance safety standards in boarding schools.
Speaking after the meeting, County Commissioner David Gitonga said the assessment was undertaken following recent incidents of student unrest reported in some parts of the country, although Tharaka Nithi County recorded only a few isolated cases.
Gitonga said the county conducted a comprehensive review of boarding schools to evaluate compliance with established safety standards and identify areas requiring immediate intervention.
According to the assessment, 56 schools were found to be experiencing congestion, while nine schools had not yet met the required registration and accommodation standards for boarding facilities.
“The assessment established that 56 schools were experiencing congestion, while nine schools are yet to meet the required registration and accommodation standards. We have since agreed on the way forward to ensure all institutions comply with the requirements governing school registration and boarding facilities,” Gitonga said.
The County Commissioner stated that the county administration, education officials and security agencies would work closely with Boards of Management to ensure that the recommendations arising from the assessment are implemented within the agreed timelines.
County Director of Education Mbugua Kabaki said Quality Assurance Officers inspected a total of 210 schools with boarding facilities across Tharaka Nithi County during the exercise.
Kabaki attributed congestion in several senior schools to increased enrolment following the transition to Grade 10 under the Competency-Based Education (CBE) system.
He added that primary schools and junior schools have also experienced over-enrolment across various grades, contributing to pressure on existing boarding facilities.
“We have discussed practical measures to address the challenges. Together with the county security team and other stakeholders, we have agreed on timelines for schools to rectify the concerns raised, while ensuring that learning is not disrupted,” Kabaki said.
The County Director of Education noted that the assessment covered both primary and secondary schools with boarding facilities and was intended to ensure that learners are accommodated in safe and conducive environments that comply with existing regulatory requirements.
Meru South branch Kenya National Union of Teachers (KNUT) Executive Secretary Albert Njeru Mutani said stakeholders had resolved to prioritise learner safety and welfare through improvements in school infrastructure and enhanced collaboration among education managers, security agencies and school communities.
Read Also: SRC Explains New Four-Year Salary Review Cycle for Public Officers
Mutani further stated that Tharaka Nithi County remains generally secure and expressed confidence that continued cooperation among stakeholders would strengthen both school safety and academic performance.
The meeting was attended by members of the County Security Committee, education officials, representatives of the Kenya Secondary School Heads Association (KESSHA), the Kenya Private Schools Association (KEPSA), the Kenya National Union of Teachers (KNUT), and other stakeholders. The participants reviewed the findings of the countywide school safety assessment and agreed on measures aimed at strengthening safety, compliance and infrastructure standards in boarding schools across Tharaka Nithi County.
56 Schools Overcrowded, 9 Fail Standards as County Issues New Orders.
Follow Teachers Updates on Facebook, LinkedIn, X (Twitter), WhatsApp, Telegram, and Instagram. Get in touch with our editors at hello@teachersupdates.news.
