End of Boarding at Hillside Endarasha Academy Next Year.
The Hillside Endarasha Academy in Kieni, Nyeri, will cease admitting boarders beginning January 2025. This decision follows the proprietors’ resolution to transition the institution into a mixed day Junior and Primary School.
Appearing before Justice Kizito Magare on Friday, the counsel for the County Director of Education, Ms. Mumbi Kiarie, informed the court that while the school had complied with basic health and safety directives issued after the tragic fire incident in September, it had only sought an operating license for a mixed day school.
According to Ms. Kiarie, the County Director of Education’s report indicated compliance with safety measures but clarified that no application for re-registering the boarding facility had been made.
Consequently, the school will reopen exclusively as a mixed day Junior and Primary School in the next term, with no provision for boarders.
“In that regard, for the next term, the school will only be reopened as a mixed day junior and primary school and have no boarding facility,” she added.
Confirmation from School Management
The school’s Directors, David Kinyua and Mary Wanjeri, along with the Board of Management, represented by their counsel Robert Kimunya, affirmed that they would not pursue a license to operate as a boarding school.
Kimunya conveyed that the institution’s proprietors had decided against re-admitting boarders, opting instead to function solely as a mixed day primary school.
“My client has decided that the school remains a mixed day school. They are no longer re-admitting boarders.
They have applied to the County Education Board to operate as a mixed-day primary school,” Kimunya told the court.
On October 7, the Kenya Human Rights Commission, David Karani, and Elimu Bora Working Group filed a petition through Chimei and Malenya Company Advocates, seeking court orders to permanently close the school’s boarding facilities.
They argued that reopening the institution just a month after a fire tragedy claimed the lives of 21 boys on September 5 failed to adequately consider essential safety standards.
The petitioners also highlighted the lack of a comprehensive report on measures to create a conducive learning environment.
The petitioners further sought court orders compelling the school to provide psychosocial support for affected pupils and parents, equipping them with tools to move forward.
Provision of Psychosocial Support
During the hearing, Chimei proposed that his clients would consider withdrawing the petition if the respondents committed to offering counselling to the affected pupils.
He emphasized the importance of providing psychosocial support to help learners and parents cope with the tragedy.
In response, Ms. Kiarie explained that the County Government of Nyeri, in collaboration with the Kenya Red Cross, had arranged free counselling services for the learners at Mt. Kenya Hospital in Nyeri town.
However, Justice Magare directed that these sessions be held at the school premises to better support the mental well-being of learners who witnessed the fire tragedy.
Justice Magare underscored the importance of on-site counselling, noting that mental health issues could linger long after traumatic events.
He instructed the respondents to submit a detailed report on the arrangements for regular psychosocial support at the school premises. Additionally, they must present proof of the school’s licensing as a non-boarding institution.
The case is set for final mention on February 4, 2025, where the court expects updates on the licensing process and measures implemented to ensure the mental well-being of the pupils.
End of Boarding at Hillside Endarasha Academy Next Year.
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