Parents of students at Utumishi Girls’ Academy have strongly opposed the school’s planned reopening on June 30, saying they will not allow their daughters to return until important safety concerns are fully addressed.
Their objections come weeks after a tragic dormitory fire at the school claimed the lives of 16 students and left the school community in deep shock.
In a letter dated Saturday, June 27, the parents expressed disappointment with the school’s decision to resume learning before resolving the many unanswered questions surrounding the deadly fire.
They argued that while the administration appears focused on reopening the school and making logistical preparations, it has not provided enough information about the tragedy or the measures being taken to prevent a similar incident from happening again.
The letter, which was also copied to the Director of Education in Nakuru County, calls for the immediate suspension of the planned reopening.
The parents insist that no student should return to school until a consultative meeting is held involving all key stakeholders, including officials from the Ministry of Education, school administrators, parents, and other relevant authorities. They believe such a meeting is necessary to restore confidence and ensure the safety of all learners.
The parents outlined four major demands that they want fulfilled before classes resume. Their first request is for a thorough safety inspection of all dormitories, classrooms, and other school facilities.
They want an independent assessment carried out to confirm that every building is safe for students to occupy and that all identified risks have been addressed.
Their second demand is for comprehensive psychosocial support for students who were affected by the tragedy. According to the parents, many learners may still be dealing with fear, grief, trauma, and emotional distress following the loss of their schoolmates.
They believe qualified counsellors and mental health professionals should be made available to help students recover emotionally before they are expected to return to their studies.
The parents are also demanding accountability from the school’s administration regarding the circumstances that led to the fatal fire.
They want clear explanations about what happened, whether any safety failures contributed to the incident, and what actions have been taken against those found responsible. They argue that transparency is essential if parents are to regain trust in the school’s leadership.
In addition, the parents have requested detailed information about the school’s emergency preparedness plans.
They want the administration to explain the safety procedures that are currently in place, including the availability of emergency exits, evacuation plans, fire response systems, and the procedures used for locking and unlocking dormitory doors.
They believe these measures are crucial in ensuring that students can be evacuated quickly in the event of another emergency.
The parents have given the school administration a 24-hour ultimatum to respond to their concerns. They warned that if meaningful discussions are not held and satisfactory answers are not provided, they will refuse to allow their daughters to report back to school as scheduled.
Meanwhile, the school administration has already informed parents that learning will resume in phases beginning June 30.
According to the reopening schedule, Form Four students are expected to report first on June 30, followed by Grade 10 students on July 2. Form Three students are then expected to return on July 4 as part of the phased reopening plan.
The school has remained closed since May 28 following the deadly fire. The closure was ordered to allow investigators to determine the cause of the incident and to provide counselling services to students affected by the tragedy.
The directive was issued by Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Ogamba, who said the wellbeing of learners and a thorough investigation were top priorities.
Investigations into the fire are still ongoing. Authorities have already taken into custody the students suspected of being involved in the incident.
The Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) has since approved murder charges against the suspects, meaning they are expected to face trial as the legal process continues.
As the reopening date approaches, many parents maintain that the safety, emotional wellbeing, and security of their children must come first.
They insist that the school and education authorities should fully address their concerns before any learner is allowed to return to the campus.
Join TUKO KADI Official WhatsApp Channel to stay updated on time
https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VaWT5gSGufImU8R0DO30
