Education Principal Secretary Belio Kipsang (pictured) through a circular on Friday instructed all field officers in collaboration with other government agencies to carry out the assessment of schools and institute appropriate measures including closure before the end of the current school term on October 25/FILE – CFM
NAIROBI, Kenya, Sep 27 – The Ministry of Education has ordered the closure of all unregistered schools and withdrawal of certificates for education institutions flouting safety rules.
The ministry’s directive comes after it emerged that some basic education institutions have been established without following due process, hence endangering the lives of learners.
Education Principal Secretary Belio Kipsang through a circular on Friday instructed all field officers in collaboration with other government agencies to carry out the assessment of schools and institute appropriate measures including closure before the end of the current school term on October 25.
“All schools whose infrastructure standards have deteriorated and/or altered since registration should have their registration certificate withdrawn and school closed immediately,” reads part of the circular addressed to all Regional and County Directors of Education.
Parents have been asked to make sure they ascertain the registration status of learning institutions where their children are enrolled before the end of third term.
The officers will also be required to reassess schools that have changed their status including increased enrollment.
“It has been observed that some basic education institutions have been established without following due process. A number of institutions exist without registration certificates while others have failed to re-apply for registration when their circumstances change,” stated Kipsang.
Further the ministry has directed that any school found to have employed teachers not registered by the Teachers Service Commission (TSC) be considered having failed to meet the guidelines and be closed immediately.
The ministry on Thursday closed Precious Talents Top School after a building at the Dagoretti-based school collapsed claiming the lives of eight pupils.
Education Cabinet Secretary Prof George Magoha announced closure of two more schools after revoking licenses and ordered relocation of more than 900 learners to nearby public schools.
The registration certificates of St Catherine Bombolulu Primary School in Kibra and Pama Academy in Kangemi were revoked after the ministry established the schools had weak structures.
Magoha said investigations revealed that the Precious Talents Top School in Ngando, off Ngong Road had weak structures and was accommodating 500 more learners above the 300 it could cater for under its registration certificate.
“The high enrolment and lack of adequate safe physical facilities coupled with non- compliance of other standards like qualified teaching staff, sanitation facilities and failure to follow the registration requirement has rendered the school’s available certificate null and void. We have also proceeded further and in its condition do not warrant continued existence of the school and thus recommended for its revocation and closure,” said Magoha.
The Ministry has embarked on a process to assess all the private schools across the country, with an aim of ensuring compliance and closing schools that do not meet the required standards.
Deputy President William Ruto had while visiting pupils who survived the Monday tragedy asked the Ministry of Education to forthwith commence a thorough inspection of schools especially in informal areas and ensure compliance to safety regulations.
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