Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Ogamba on Wednesday ordered a mandatory inspection of all schools across the country.
In a press statement, Ogamba stated that the inspection would be done to ensure that all schools adhere to the safety protocols outlined in the Safety Standards Manual.
The CS disclosed that the impromptu checks would be carried out by a multi-agency team from the Ministries of Education, Interior and Health.
The mandatory check will also involve officials from the Department of Public Works, officers from the County Governments and those from the Kenya Red Cross.
Students from Meru High School heading home as Teacher’s strike enters week 2, 2 September 2024.
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According to the CS, the inspections will provide an opportunity for the government to unearth the reasons behind the recent 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 clarified.
According to CS Ogamba, firm and decisive action would be taken against Ministry of Education officials, school administrators and managers found to have flouted the guidelines.
He revealed that the first phase of this inspection, which began earlier this week, will cover all boarding primary and junior schools in the country.
Meanwhile, the second phase of the inspection exercise will be conducted in all secondary schools upon completion of the first phase.
Ogamba further stated that the recent incident at Hillside Endarasha Academy in which 21 pupils lost their lives underscored the need for the government to firmly enforce school safety guidelines.
The directive by the Ministry of Education comes amidst a surge in fire incidents across various schools in the country with the latest incident reported at John Mbadi Secondary School in Suba, Homa Bay County.
“We wish to assure the country that the Ministry will continue to support schools to remain safe and conducive spaces for quality and effective learning,” the Education CS assured Kenyans.
An image of the flames engulfing the dorm at Oma John Mbadi Mixed Secondary School
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Deno Max
