Court Orders Closure of Hillside Endarasha Academy Boarding Facilities.
The High Court in Nyeri has directed Hillside Endarasha Academy to close its boarding facilities due to safety concerns. The order came just two days after the school reopened, having been closed for more than a month following a fire that resulted in the deaths of 21 boys.
The institution had been working towards restoring normalcy and was preparing to resume learning for its boarding students when the court’s decision was issued.
With a student population of approximately 800, Hillside Endarasha Academy reopened on Wednesday, admitting both day and boarding pupils.
Prior to the fire, over 300 students were boarders. However, the closure of boarding facilities will affect 98 girls and 97 boys, who will now need to continue their studies without access to boarding.
The administration will have to develop new strategies to accommodate these students.
The court’s order followed a petition filed last week by the Kenya Human Rights Commission (KHRC) and the Elimu Bora Working Group.
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The human rights organizations sought a comprehensive safety inspection of the school, adherence to safety guidelines, and the provision of psychosocial support for students and parents.
They accused the school management of rushing to reopen without adequately considering the safety of the learners.
Court Ruling
On Friday, Justice Dennis Kizito of the Nyeri High Court ruled in favor of the petitioners, prohibiting the reopening of the school’s boarding section.
He acknowledged that schools were set to close later in the month and declined to block the reopening of the entire institution.
However, he expressed concern about potential risks to the health and safety of the students, thereby forbidding the reopening of any boarding facilities or accommodation pending further legal proceedings.
The school’s administration faces the challenge of managing close to 200 displaced boarders, many of whom are preparing for the upcoming Kenya Primary School Education Assessment (KPSEA) later in the month.
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With the boarding facilities shut down, alternative arrangements must be made to ensure continuity of learning for the affected students.
Court Orders Closure of Hillside Endarasha Academy Boarding Facilities.
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