New beginnings: Learning resumes at Hillside Endarasha

Hillside Endarasha Academy pupils entering the school as it opens doors for the first term of the academic year 2025/KNA

Hillside Endarasha Academy in Kieni Constituency, Nyeri County, was a bee hive of activity as parents flocked to the school to drop off their children for the beginning of the first term of the academic year.

In scenes punctuated by joy and expectation, families thronged the school gate at 8am for admission of their children, marking the onset of a new chapter for the institution that is arising from a tragic fire incident last year.

Determined to put aside the sad memory of the dormitory fire of September 2024, which claimed the lives of 21 learners, many parents expressed their unwavering confidence in the school’s promise to provide quality education under a new operational model.

The transition to a day-school format has been viewed as a crucial step towards ensuring the safety of pupils while maintaining high educational standards.

Alice Wanjiru, a parent at the school, speaking to KNA in the school, shared her optimism, saying, “We must let bygones be bygones; it was an accident, and we believe it will not happen again. I am very confident that this year, the results for national examinations will be excellent, as this is one of the best-performing schools.”

Wanjiru reiterated that the implementation of comprehensive safety measures, including the transition to a day school, infrastructure upgrades, and continuous staff training on emergency response measures, will create a safe and conducive learning environment for learners.

Another parent, Tressa Wamuyu, echoed similar positive sentiments, expressing a strong belief in the school’s potential despite the tragedy. “Since we believe in God, never again will such a tragedy happen again to us,’’ she asserted.

“This is the best-performing school within our locality, and the next school is very far away,” she noted.

Wamuyu added that the school has undergone renovations, stating, “the school has even been repainted, so we believe this is a fresh start, and we are optimistic that our children will perform well.”

As the new term begins, the residents’ unwavering faith in Hillside Endarasha Academy remains strong, with parents’ hopeful for a fruitful academic year ahead.