Relief as some blacklisted schools allowed to reopen

Directors of several boarding schools that had been ordered closed due to safety concerns can now breathe a sigh of relief after receiving approval to reopen.

The schools, which were among the 348 learning institutions blacklisted, are said to have complied with the set safety protocols.

The director of Happyland School in Buruburu, Nairobi Moses Munyui said they got the approval to readmit learners to the boarding facilities from the sub-county education director.

“The officials from the Ministry of Education came last week and assessed us again. They have seen that we have one the necessary, what they were looking for, and now we have the letter,” he said.

Speaking to Citizen TV, he stated that they faced some difficulties while adhering to the safety protocols including a lack of resources.

Precious Hope School in Kitutu Central in Kisii County was also assessed and cleared from readmission.

Director Samwel Mirieri said the renovated dormitories now have two doors.

“The rails have already been removed and we have put enough fire devices. We have also ensured that the dorms have enough bathrooms,” he said.

Mogendi Tamaro of Tabaka Academy in Kisii said their major issue was a lack of enough boarding space, grids in the windows and lack of fire extinguishers.

In Kericho, schools including Teevale Imara, Sally Ann Academy and Upper Hill Academy received a go-ahead to continue with boarding.

The decision to blacklist the 348 schools was reached on November 27, following an assessment exercise on all boarding schools in September and October.

A circular from the Ministry of Education had ordered the schools not to reopen in 2025.

The schools were found to have grossly contravened the provisions of the Safety Standards Manual for Schools in Kenya (2008).

Others were found to not have adhered to the standards as prescribed in the Registration Guidelines for Basic Education Institutions (2021).