Education CS Ogamba Justifies Closure of 348 Boarding Sections Despite Errors in School Listings.
Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Ogamba has defended the government’s decision to shut down 348 boarding schools nationwide, emphasizing that the closures adhered to proper procedures.
Speaking before the Senate’s Education Committee, Ogamba clarified that the affected schools would only reopen upon complying with the stipulated regulations.
The committee revealed receiving numerous complaints about the process, with some schools claiming the exercise was unfair. Among the concerns raised were instances where schools without boarding sections were erroneously included on the closure list.
Joe Nyutu, the committee chairman, highlighted grievances from schools stating that the Ministry directed them to implement changes but failed to confirm compliance before listing them for closure.
“Our officers did not close any school in the boarding section that met the requirements. These issues have arisen after the audit,” Ogamba explained.
Defending the Ministry’s Stand
Ogamba maintained that no school meeting the prescribed requirements was closed. He pointed out that the issues stemmed from findings during an audit, asserting that ministry officials acted appropriately.
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He stressed the government’s unwillingness to compromise on safety standards despite the backlash from affected schools.
Ogamba stated that where schools had addressed the required changes, they were given clearance to proceed. However, he reiterated that the Ministry would not permit boarding facilities that failed to meet safety standards to continue operations.
A clarification from the CS followed complaints from some schools, including one in Nairobi, which argued they were wrongly listed despite not having boarding sections.
The director of the Nairobi school reported shock among parents and staff upon discovering their inclusion in the list, explaining that the institution exclusively operated as a day school.
“Our parents were shocked, and we were shocked, we wish to clarify that the school does not have a boarding section, we only run a day school and feel like our school was erroneously listed,” said the school’s director.
Ministry’s Next Steps and Safety Guidelines
Ogamba announced that the Ministry would reassess the affected schools in January to ensure compliance with the required standards.
He outlined key measures for improving safety in boarding facilities, including replacing triple-decker or wooden beds with safer alternatives.
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To alleviate congestion in boarding schools, Ogamba recommended adjusting bed spacing to align with the Safety Standards Manual for Schools in Kenya (2008).
These measures aim to enhance safety and prevent further discrepancies, ensuring that schools adhere to the necessary regulations before resuming boarding operations.
Education CS Ogamba Justifies Closure of 348 Boarding Sections Despite Errors in School Listings.
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