The security, in collaboration with education officials in Busia, have launched investigations to unearth the circumstances that led to the fire outbreak at Nambale and Bukhalalire high schools.
Speaking to the press in his office on Friday, Busia County Director of Education James Ekaliyo said that the fire incidents occurred during morning hours when students had gone to classes.
“This week and the other week we experienced fire incidents in two of our schools, Bukhalire Secondary and Nambale Boys. The security teams and the Sub County Directors of Education moved in to investigate the cases,’ he said.
Ekaliyo stated that the exact cause of the fire incident at Nambale High School has not been established despite the investigation team having interrogated a few teachers, support staff, and a section of students.
‘For Bukhalalire, the school Administration is suspecting one of the students, but they do not have enough evidence to pin him down,” he said, adding that the matter is still under investigation.
He further said that the two schools have remained calm and teaching and learning activities are ongoing smoothly.
The official urged all stakeholders to join hands in order to ensure safety and security in all schools.
‘We are conducting assessments in all Junior and Primary boarding schools to ensure that the safety regulations are adhered to so that the security of all our schools are up to date; dormitories have doors that open from outside,” he said.
Ekaliyo encouraged boarding schools to have CCTVs in order to minimise cases of evil-minded characters torching the school infrastructure.
He at the same time reminded the stakeholders that the Education policy does not encourage any public meetings in schools during the third term so that candidates preparing for National examinations can have ample time to study.
‘We are ready for the examinations, and any teacher or school Principal who will be found to be abetting cheating or allowing learners to use orthodox means to pass exams will face the full force of the law,” he said.
No casualties were reported in the two fire incidents, a part from loss of property.
By Salome Alwanda
