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Kenya

Government mulls setting minimum boarding school age as part of reforms

Kipsang made reference to the reforms while speaking at a requiem mass held in remembrance of the nine girls killed in the Moi Girls fire/MOSES MUOKI

NAIROBI, Kenya, Sep 14 – The Ministry of Education is mulling setting a minimum age at which parents will be allowed to enroll their children in boarding school.

Speaking at the requiem mass for the nine girls killed in a fire at the Moi Girls School, Education Principal Secretary Belio Kipsang said they should be competent enough to handle themselves in case of emergency.

“At what age do we allow our children to be in boarding schools? This may affect our primary schools because we would want to be sure that when our children are in boarding schools at primary school level, they are of such an age that in case of challenges they  can be able to take care of themselves,” he told mourners.

Kipsang described the tragic loss of life in the Moi Girls fire as heart breaking as it is something that could have been prevented.

A sombre mood engulfed the ceremony as students, friends, families came together to remember the students.

Nairobi Senator Johnson Sakaja who was among leaders who joined the school in the mass empasised the need for a mentorship program to be initiated by schools’ alumni to advise those still in school.

He stated that this will provide the needed guidance and counseling to ensure students are able to deal with any challenges they may encounter.

He sentiments were echoed by Kibra MP Ken Okoth who stated that he will kick off a discussion that will see to it that all school present annual reports to do with safety, evacuation and preparedness.

Okoth stated that there is need to pay attention to issues such as mental health as well as carry out fire drills.

On Tuesday, all the nine girls were positively identified following the completion of DNA examinations.

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A form one student accused of having started the fire that burnt her nine colleagues at Moi Girls High School has been charged with nine counts of murder.

The girl who is aged 14 was arraigned before Justice Luka Kimaru before whom she denied the charges and freed on a Sh200,000 until Friday when her case will be mentioned.

She was represented in court by lawyer Stanley Kangahi who assured the court that she will cooperate and turn up in court whenever required to until the case is heard and determined.

The media was barred from covering the proceedings in court in the interest of the girl’s rights as a minor.

Bodies of all the girls were burnt beyond recognition and were only identified through a DNA exercise that was completed Tuesday.

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