Kenyan government orders closure of 348 primary school boarding sections for safety violations

The government has ordered the closure of boarding sections in 348 primary schools, both public and private, due to failure to meet safety standards. Basic Education PS Belio Kipsang said a September-October assessment revealed serious violations of the 2008 Safety Standards Manual for Schools and the 2021 Registration Guidelines for Basic Education Institutions.

In a circular dated November 27, Kipsang instructed education officials to ensure these schools do not reopen their boarding sections on January 6, 2025, when Term 1 begins. He also directed them to notify parents early so they can make alternative arrangements for their children.

The move follows a deadly dormitory fire at Endarasha Hillside Academy in Nyeri County in September, which killed 21 boys. The subsequent nationwide audit uncovered alarming safety issues in many schools. Violations included:

• Use of unsafe wooden triple-decker beds and overcrowded dormitories.

• Blocked escape routes due to grills on windows and inward-opening doors.

• Unauthorized repurposing of dining halls and classrooms as dormitories.

• Lack of sickbays, treated water, or trained staff to oversee dormitories.

• Security lapses like unmanned gates and porous fences.

• Headteachers not living on school premises, contrary to rules.

PS Kipsang emphasized that boarding sections will only reopen after meeting compliance through a new registration process. The government has aligned the school calendar for 2025, with Term 1 starting on January 6.