The Kenya National Union of Teachers (KNUT) Bureti branch has blasted the government for the recent closure of 348 schools over safety non-compliance.
Branch Executive Secretary Alfred Rop observed that the schools ought to have been given time to sort out the problem rather than being closed, saying it is difficult to transfer children to new schools.
Addressing the press, Rop empathized with parents from affected schools and urged them to start looking for other institutions for their children to avoid disruptions next year.
“It is very difficult to move children from one school to another. It would be better for the government to give the proprietors of these schools time to improve their facilities. We ask proprietors and those who want to open schools to understand that they are accommodating human beings hence should give safety a priority,” observed Rop.
The Kenya National Parents Association (KNPA) Bomet Chapter Executive Secretary Stephen Koskey faulted the move, terming it a gross violation of children’s basic rights.
Koskey now wants the government to rescind the decision, further questioning why the matter was not addressed before.
“The closure of the schools was unnecessary and will cause unnecessary suffering to children. Which danger have they seen now? These schools should have been given an opportunity to address the problems,” noted Koskey.
However, Nakuru County Education Committee Chair Professor Moses Malawi backed the move, saying safety of students should be given priority.
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Malawi observed that the government has an inspection report for each school in the country, adding that all institutions, both boarding and day schools must be subjected to inspection.
“Although the proprietors have invested in the institutions, it is important to prioritize learners’ safety. If a problem occurs, various departments, including the Ministry of Health will be in trouble. We also have to ask ourselves when these schools were last inspected,” Malawi stated.
By Kimutai Langat
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