Four private primary schools in Bondo Sub County have been closed down by the government after they failed to meet suitability standards.
St. Jeremiah Academy which had 94 pupils, Joy Land Academy (84), St. Paul Academy (82) and Wema Academy (105) were shut down because they were found to be in deplorable conditions and not suitable for learning.
Addressing the press at his office, Bondo Sub County Director of Education Mr. Elisha Omala said the schools were closed down during a crackdown on mushrooming private schools conducted by his office.
“The crackdown is ongoing and we’ve started with private schools around Nyamonye in East Yimbo we will go round the entire sub county and also to public schools to assess the suitability of learning environment in all schools,” Omala said.
Last week the Ministry of Education led by Prof George Magoha started a crackdown on schools after eight pupils of Precious Talent Academy lost their lives following the collapse of a wall of their classroom.
Omala disclosed that the four schools affected are not registered by the ministry of education and had hired unqualified teachers who were not registered by the Teachers Service Commission.
“Besides the fact that the buildings in these institutions are deplorable, we also found out that learners in PP1 and PP2 are mixed in the same classrooms and also those in grade 1 and 2 are in the same classroom,” Omala stated.
The Education director disclosed that the affected pupils have been transferred to neighbouring public primary schools like Kambajo, Nyamonye and Pala after informing their parents.
Omala divulged that there are no candidates in the affected schools adding that should they find any unsuitable school with KCPE candidates during the ongoing crackdown arrangements will be made for them to sit for their exams in neighbouring public primary schools.
He warned the owners of the closed primary schools against operation of the schools until they comply with safety regulations and suitability standards.
By Brian Ondeng
