Head of Public Service, Felix Koskei, has issued a firm directive to the Ministry of Education to initiate an immediate and comprehensive inspection of all school infrastructures across the country. This decision comes in response to the tragic fire incident at Hillside Endarasha School in Nyeri County, where 21 pupils lost their lives.
Koskei stressed, “I am calling on the Department of Quality Assurance officers, along with every government official, whether they are involved in teaching or in school management, to prioritize the safety of our children, be it in classrooms or dormitories.”
He further emphasized the importance of preventing such tragedies by ensuring strict compliance with safety regulations, adding, “We cannot afford to lose lives each year due to negligence in following established safety standards. Our aim is to guarantee that parents have peace of mind when they send their children to school.”
Also Read
Koskei highlighted that school inspections should only approve constructions that meet the safety standards outlined by the Ministry of Education and other relevant authorities. He insisted, “The inspectorate from the Ministry, in collaboration with local education officers, must thoroughly assess schools and ensure that construction projects adhere to the necessary guidelines.”
He went on to assure parents that the government is determined to see that all schools, whether public or private, are properly managed. “Parents should have confidence that their children are in safe hands, both under the supervision of teachers and the management of the school. It is the responsibility of the management to ensure that facilities are up to the required standards,” he said.
Koskei concluded by instructing school administrators to strictly follow the safety protocols established by the Ministry of Education to protect the well-being of learners.
