Fate of learners in 30 schools closed over safety uncertain
The fate of hundreds of pupils of more than 30 schools in Mombasa, which were shut down by the government over poor infrastructure last year, hangs in the balance after officials maintained the facilities have not been cleared to reopen.
Mombasa Education director Moses Makori confirmed that no school affected by the Education Cabinet Secretary George Magoha’s crackdown has been cleared to open.
“All the schools that were closed have not met the requirements and they have to apply for inspection by various departments for them to get approval,” said Makori.
Citing the case of Greenfield School in Migadini, Changamwe Sub-county, which was closed down by Magoha in September last year, the director said the school was not only closed but was also de-registered. The facility has a population of 445 pupils.
He said for the school to be reopened, the management must first apply for assessment by Public Health officers, National Environment Management Authority (Nema), National Construction Authority, Education and Public works ministries and the National Lands Commission before the county education body approves its reopening.
Still closed
Parents and learners from the institution were stranded when schools reopened this week.
“The school was closed but we were assured that it was to reopen on January 6. But on Monday we were here only to find it still closed despite efforts made to remove the second floor which was deemed as a threat.
We were told that the directive for reopening is yet to be given. Now we are stranded we don’t know what to do,” said Isaac Boyo, a parent whose child was in Grade Three at the school.
Changamwe was leading with the highest number of schools that were shut down, at 16, followed by Jomvu with eight, four in Nyali, three in Kisauni and one in Likoni.
