North Imenti MP Rahim Dawood has proposed that the government abolishes boarding schools in the wake of mysterious fires that have razed dormitories in several boarding schools in the country.
Speaking at CCM Township Day Secondary School in Meru town, Dawood said it was regrettable that some of the fire incidents have led to injuries and unnecessary loss of lives and property.
Dawood said if the current trend of school fires continues, the government should consider abolishing boarding schools in the country.
“It is surprising that these fires are only witnessed in boarding and not day schools. The incidences usually occur during exam time which mostly falls in the third term of the academic year.
"In the wake of this, the government should consider adopting the proposal to abolish boarding schools or seek to find out the main causes of these fires to avert loss of lives and property in our schools,”Dawood said.
The MP advised learners to seek guidance and counseling from teachers, parents and education officials in case they are facing problems instead of burning dormitories, which may lead to the deaths of innocent students.
He condoled with the victims of the Hillside Endarasha Academy fire tragedy that claimed the lives of 21 students and left 14 others with injuries.
“The Ministry of Education should evaluate the model of boarding schools to make it safe and friendly to learners. It should be made mandatory for matrons to sleep in the dormitories and not outside so they can intervene in case of danger,” Dawood said.
