Tharaka Nithi County Security Committee has directed schools to address safety and infrastructural gaps identified during a countywide comprehensive assessment of boarding facilities in the area.
Speaking after a security meeting held at Kathituni Primary School in Chuka, County Commissioner (CC) David Gitonga said the assessment was prompted by the recent cases of student unrest reported in some parts of the country, although Tharaka Nithi recorded only a few isolated incidents.
Gitonga said the county undertook a comprehensive review of boarding schools to evaluate compliance with safety standards and identify areas requiring urgent intervention.
“The assessment established that 56 schools were experiencing congestion, while nine schools are yet to meet the required registration and accommodation standards. We have since agreed on the way forward to ensure all institutions comply with the requirements governing school registration and boarding facilities,” he said.
The CC noted that the county administration, education officials and security agencies will work closely with the school boards of management to ensure the recommendations they made are implemented within the agreed timelines.
The County Director of Education Mbugua Kabaki said Quality Assurance Officers assessed 210 schools with boarding facilities across the county.
He attributed congestion in some senior schools to increased enrolment following the transition to Grade 10 under the Competency-Based Education (CBE) system.
He further noted that primary schools and junior schools have also recorded over-enrolment at various levels.
“We have discussed practical measures to address the challenges. Together with the county security team and other stakeholders, we have agreed on timelines for schools to rectify the concerns raised, while ensuring that learning is not disrupted,” Kabaki said.
The Director said the exercise covered both primary and secondary schools with boarding facilities and was aimed at ensuring learners are accommodated in safe and conducive environments.
The Meru South branch KNUT Executive Secretary Albert Njeru Mutani said stakeholders had resolved to prioritise the safety and welfare of learners through improved school infrastructure and strengthened collaboration among education managers, security agencies and school communities.
He said Tharaka Nithi remains generally safe and expressed confidence that continued cooperation among stakeholders would further enhance both security and academic performance in the county.
The meeting brought together members of the County Security Committee, education officials, Kenya Secondary School Heads Association (KESSHA), Kenya Private Schools Association (KEPSA), Kenya National Union of Teachers (KNUT), and other stakeholders to review the findings of the school safety assessment and agree on measures to strengthen safety in boarding schools across the county.
by Dickson Mwiti and Christine Ngitori
