The Ministry of Education has issued
new guidelines on safety and stability of
basic education learning institutions,
in the wake of fresh security concerns in
schools.
Regional and county education directors are required to ensure strict adherence
to set guidelines in order to protect learners from harm.
Among the guidelines issued in a circular signed by Education Principal Secretary
Belio Kipsang, is that all schools must be
registered with the ministry to ensure institutions whose status has changed are
assessed and re-registered.
“No school should operate with a provisional certificate beyond 18 months without seeking full registration,” Kipsang has
directed.
The ministry has also directed day
schools, which have converted into boarding without necessary facilities be closed
and re-registered.
School managements have been
stopped from forcing learners to become
boarders as this is the discretion of respective parents.
Obtain authority
“It has been noted that some schools
are forcing students in certain classes to
become boarders. A learner who is a day
scholar must not be forced to board under
any circumstances. Decision to change
(this status) must be made by the parent
because of the financial implications,” said
the PS.
Schools have also been directed to
adhere to gazetted fees structures. For
schools with a genuine reason to adjust
fees above the gazetted amount, authority in writing must be obtained from the
Cabinet Secretary.
Education officers have been told to
monitor schools to ensure
only TSC registered tutors
engage in teaching
structed to put in place measures to prevent arson as detailed in the circular issued last year. Special attention should be placed in hostels area when students are in for preps.
Education officers have been told to
monitor schools to ensure that only teachers registered by the Teachers Service Commission (TSC) are engaged in teaching. The officers should also ensure prudent utilisation of resources.
Further, principals must be alert on any
possible cause of unrest so as to avert any
eventuality and advise boards of management and County Education Boards onbprocedure in handling students’ discipline
as per the Basic Education Act and Basic
Education regulations, 2016.
The guidelines come at a time when various tragedies have hit schools in the recent past. The most recent incident was at a primary school in Kakamega county where 14
pupils lost their lives in a stampede.
In September 2019, Education CS
George Magoha closed Precious Talents
Top School in Dagoretti and Pama Academy in Kangemi and ordered the affected pupils sent to public schools.
The institutions had substandard structures.
In January, three pupils died after lightning struck them at Mkulima Primary
School in Kuresoi North Sub-County. At
least 53 others were admitted to various
hospitals in Nakuru county.
In September 2017, nine students died
while dozens of others were injured after
a fire burnt down a dormitory at Moi Girls’
School, Nairobi.
Hence the circular from the ministry of education.
The Newstamu crew thanks you for reading their article. To be notified immediately we post an article, click on the white bell at the bottom of your screen and subscribe for free to be notified immediately we post an article.
