By Martin Masai

Hundreds of pupils from 45 primary schools in Lower Eastern Kenya are now stranded after the government ordered the immediate closure of boarding sections in their institutions.

This directive, part of a national order affecting 348 schools, comes after inspections found the schools non-compliant with the Kenya Safety Standards Manual 2008 and the Registration Guidelines for Basic Education Institutions (2021).

Kitui County has been hit hardest, with 20 schools affected, followed by Machakos with 15 and Makueni with 10.

Both public and private academies are on the list.

The Anchor publishes below images of the affected schools as per the circular issued by the Ministry of Education.

In a circular to regional, county, and sub-county education directors, Education Principal Secretary Dr. Belio Kipsang detailed the reasons behind the closures. Inspections conducted in September and October revealed that the schools failed to meet safety and operational standards.

“The purpose of this circular is to direct the closure of the boarding sections of all schools within your jurisdiction that were not approved, as per the attached list,” Dr. Kipsang stated. He added that the affected schools could reopen their boarding facilities only after undergoing a rigorous re-registration process to ensure compliance.

Dr. Kipsang also emphasized the importance of timely communication with parents to enable them to make alternative arrangements for their children.

The closures have sparked concerns among parents, with many scrambling to find new schools for their children as the new term approaches. Education stakeholders are urging the government to expedite the re-registration process to minimize disruptions to pupils’ education.

This latest move underscores the government’s heightened focus on ensuring safety and compliance in learning institutions across the country. However, it leaves many families in limbo, raising questions about the future of affected pupils in the interim.

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