Elimu Bora Working Group (EBWG) and Kenya Human Rights Commission (KHRC) on Wednesday called for the immediate resignation of Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Ogamba and his Principal Secretary Belio Kipsang following the demise of at least 21 pupils at the Hillside Endarasha Academy tragedy in Nyeri.
In a statement, the lobby groups accused the two government officials, alongside others in Nyeri, of failing to fulfil the mandate to which they were appointed to undertake.
According to EBWG, CS Ogamba and Kipsang failed to protect the affected pupils in the Hillside tragedy by ensuring that schools across the country were safe.
“Education CS Ogamba, PS Kipsang, and the Ministry’s Quality and Standards Assurance Team in Nyeri must resign and take full responsibility for this disaster,” the lobby groups stated.
Education CS Julius Migos speaking at ICP World Convention hosted by KESSHA, August 20, 2024.
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EduMin
“Those responsible for inspecting the school and ensuring safety standards must be held accountable,” the commission added.
KHRC also demanded swift action against the Hillside Endarasha school administration of the Hillside Endarasha Academy because the incident occurred under their watch.
The Ministry of Education was further pushed to provide the affected parents with all relevant information concerning the tragedy, including the students’ safety and whereabouts.
KHRC revealed that it was in the final stages of preparing a petition against those found culpable of negligence and failure to enforce proper safety standards that led to the demise of the students.
“Safety conditions in all schools, particularly boarding institutions, must be reviewed nationwide. This review must be followed by strict enforcement of safety regulations to prevent future tragedies,” the Commission demanded.
The statement by the lobby group comes barely an hour after CS Julius Ogamba ordered the mandatory inspection of all schools across the country.
In his Wednesday noon presser, the Education CS stated that the inspection would be done to ensure that all schools comply with the safety protocols outlined in the Safety Standards Manual.
According to the CS, the impromptu checks would provide an opportunity for the government to unearth the reasons behind the spate of school fires reported across the country recently.
“It will also help us make appropriate recommendations to remedy the situation, in cases where there are fresh interventions required that are a departure from the indiscipline cases reported in the previous years,” the CS noted.
Office Block of Hillside Endarasha Academy.
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