Hillside Endarasha Academy is set to reopen on Wednesday next week, following a tragic dormitory fire that resulted in the deaths of 21 pupils a month ago.
The fire, which occurred on the night of September 5 at the school located in Kieni constituency, also left several other students injured.
The exact cause of the fire has not yet been determined.
On Thursday, Nyeri County Director of Education Jane Njogu provided updates on the school’s status, stating that renovations are nearing completion.
Initially, the plan was to resume classes on Monday, but the contractors advised against it, citing ongoing final touches to the repairs.
“The masons are working around the clock to ensure the students will be comfortable upon their return,” Njogu remarked.
The decision to reopen was made after quality assurance officers from the Ministry of Education confirmed that the school’s safety standards were satisfactory.
Njogu explained that although the school was initially slated to reopen on Monday, the final work is expected to be completed by Wednesday, allowing time for the school to reorganize.
With end-year assessments currently underway, many parents have expressed concerns about the reopening timeline.
In response, Njogu visited the school to reassure them, highlighting the ongoing assessments and the positive findings regarding the school’s readiness.
The reopening is timely for candidates preparing for their KAPSEA exams, as the Knec portal is already open for assessments.
The school has a total enrollment of 824 pupils, comprising 402 boys and 422 girls.
The dormitory that was destroyed had a capacity of 156 but housed 152 boys at the time of the incident.
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