Author: Hezron Rooy

Plans to Privatise Kipkeino Primary School Spark Controversy. The Kipkeino Primary School, located in Turbo sub-county, Uasin Gishu, is at the center of a heated dispute over its proposed conversion from a public to a private institution. This school, linked to the family of legendary athlete Kipchoge Keino, is among the most esteemed institutions in the region, boasting state-of-the-art facilities and has been operating under the Ministry of Education as a public school. A month ago, an application was submitted to the Ministry of Education to privatize the school. In response, the ministry issued a public notice seeking feedback on…

Principal Advocates for Sign Language in School Curriculum Principal Ann Oduor of Nyangweso School for the Deaf highlighted that limited knowledge of sign language poses a significant barrier between deaf individuals and the broader society. She emphasized that even basic sign language skills could greatly enhance communication, especially in interactions involving the deaf. Oduor proposed the integration of basic sign language into the school curriculum to foster better communication between the deaf and the rest of the population. She noted that most people rely solely on spoken language, inadvertently excluding the deaf community from meaningful interactions. Misconceptions and Discrimination Speaking…

Majority of Boarding Schools Now Death Traps for Children — Report A recent analysis claims that the majority of the country’s boarding schools are unsafe for children.  According to the Usawa Agenda report, schools have insufficient disaster preparedness, with the distance between students’ beds in dormitories falling below the required limits. According to the data, less than half of the assessed boarding schools across the country followed safety rules. According to the report, schools in Kenya are evolving into the latest death traps, from poor construction to catastrophic stampedes. The details were revealed on Wednesday at the introduction of the Usawa Agenda’s secondary school…

MKU Launches Kenya’s First Private Maritime Academy in Malindi. Mount Kenya University (MKU) has established Kenya’s first private Maritime Academy in Malindi, providing a valuable alternative to the limited government-sponsored maritime training programs. The academy is focused on equipping students with essential skills to succeed in the maritime industry, which plays a crucial role in Kenya’s economic development under the Blue Economy initiative. The academy is expected to help combat unemployment in Malindi by training local youth in shipping, logistics, marine engineering, and other maritime-related fields. By providing these skills, the institution aims to create opportunities for individuals to explore…

Demotion of 1,652 ECDE Teachers Puts West Pokot Governor in the Spotlight. On Tuesday, West Pokot Governor Simon Kachapin faced intense scrutiny from the Senate over his administration’s decision to reverse the promotion of over 1,650 Early Childhood Development Education (ECDE) teachers from contractual to permanent and pensionable terms. This reversal followed a previous decision made by former Governor John Lonyangapuo, who had promoted the teachers in July 2022, only for the current administration to rescind it. According to the Senate Committee on Education, the West Pokot County Public Service Board had confirmed all ECDE teachers as permanent and pensionable…

Ex-TSC Commissioner Calls for Quality Assurance Reforms to Boost Education Outcomes. Joseph Obonyo, a prominent educationist, emphasized the need for the government to revitalize quality assurance and standards in order to enhance basic education. Obonyo, a former Commissioner of the Teachers Service Commission (TSC), expressed concern over the current lack of ongoing school assessments by the government, which he believes are crucial for the Ministry of Education to understand how best to offer support. These assessments, he said, would also help implement necessary policy changes. The Decline of School Supervision Obonyo highlighted the decline in school supervision, noting that the…

Kenya Mourns as Parents Fear for Children’s Safety in Boarding Schools. As Kenya grieves for the 21 children who perished in a boarding school fire, parents across the country are grappling with the fear of recurring tragedies. On Thursday, a memorial service was held for the boys, aged nine to thirteen, who lost their lives in a dormitory fire at Hillside Endarasha Academy on September 6. This particular incident was especially tragic, with the victims’ bodies burnt beyond recognition, necessitating DNA testing for identification. Unfortunately, school fires are not uncommon in Kenya. More than twelve fires have occurred this year…

Tears Flow at Nyeri Memorial for Dormitory Fire Victims of Endarasha Academy. On Thursday, thousands of mourners gathered at Mweiga stadium in Nyeri County to pay their respects to 21 boys who tragically lost their lives in a dormitory fire at Hillside Endarasha Academy earlier this month. The memorial service was marked by profound grief, as family members carried the white and gold caskets into a large dome-shaped tent set up for the ceremony. The location was approximately 170 kilometers (100 miles) from Nairobi, the capital of Kenya. The fire, which erupted on September 6, swept through the dormitory while…

Vocational Training Centers (VTCs) at Risk if CDF Cease Operation. Vocational Training Centers (VTCs) across the country could experience substantial difficulties if the court ruling that halted the Constituency Development Fund (CDF) remains in effect until its potential discontinuation on June 30, 2026. The CDF has been a vital financial resource for students in VTCs, acting as a lifeline for institutions that do not benefit from Higher Education Loans Board (HELB) funding. Without these essential funds, many financially disadvantaged learners may lose their opportunity to gain important job market skills. VTCs have historically depended on two key sources of funding:…

Government Embarks on Boarding School Security Assessments Across Kenya. The Kenya government is currently evaluating safety and security protocols in all 198 boarding primary schools across the Western region. This comprehensive exercise is aimed at ensuring the safety and welfare of learners, according to the Regional Director of Education, Jared Obiero. Mr. Obiero emphasized that the government is dedicated to improving the safety and overall well-being of students in the region. Speaking on Wednesday, he explained that a team, which includes Quality Assurance and Standards Officers (QASO), is conducting the assessments. The team is focused on both safety and health…