Schools in race against time to rebuild dorms destroyed by students

Students of Kaimosi Boys High School in Vihiga County search their boxes to salvage valuables after a fire razed their dormitory on July 15, 2016. Schools across the country face serious accommodation crisis as students report back for the third term. PHOTO | TONNY OMONDI | NATION MEDIA GROUP

What you need to know:

  • Students in about 120 schools torched their dormitories in a series of attacks that shocked the nation.
  • The government ruled out the possibility of postponing the opening of schools which saw dormitories set alight in the second term.
  • In Kiambu County, secondary schools that were affected have turned some classrooms into makeshift dormitories.
  • At Muhoho School that lost a classroom block, students will be required to pay an extra Sh10,000 for the damage.
  • Property worth over Sh15 million was lost after a one-storey building was set ablaze by arsonists at Kabarnet Boys’ High School.

Schools across the country are facing a serious accommodation crisis as students report back for the third term following the wave of arson attacks that hit learning institutions last term.

Students in about 120 schools torched their dormitories in a series of attacks that shocked the nation and which left stakeholders grappling for answers.

A countrywide spot-check by the Sunday Nation revealed that students in many of the affected schools will have to share beds or sleep in makeshift dormitories as the institutions race against time to construct new facilities.

By Saturday, the government ruled out the possibility of postponing the opening of schools which saw dormitories set alight in the second term.

Education Principal Secretary Belio Kipsang said schools will re-open as planned but declined to discuss the interventions the government has put in place to ensure that learning goes on despite the shortage of facilities.

Most headteachers of the affected schools agreed with the government, saying that any postponements would compromise the performance of Form Four candidates scheduled to sit the Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) exams in November.

In Kiambu County, secondary schools that were affected have turned some classrooms into makeshift dormitories.

“We have arranged for temporary accommodation as schools re-open by getting new supplies of beds and other furniture on credit as we wait to collect money for the damage caused by the fires when schools re-open,” said County Director of Education Harrison Muriuki.

The schools include Muhoho High School, Kijabe Boys, Komothai Boys and Kiamworia Girls secondary school among others.

At Muhoho School that lost a classroom block, students will be required to pay an extra Sh10,000 for the damage.

Trans Nzoia County Director of Education Joseph Wamocho said school boards of affected institutions have had to come up with alternative accommodation arrangements. They include converting dining halls, libraries and other buildings into makeshift dormitories.

HOUSED AT ALTERNATIVE PLACES

“We have held meetings with all the boards of management and agreed that students will be housed in alternative spaces available as the schools plan to put up new dormitories,” said Mr Wamocho.

Regional schools affected were St Theresa’s Girls Bikeke, where a Sh6 million dormitory was torched, while St Francis Suwerwa secondary school lost a dormitory worth Sh5 million.

Other schools affected in the region include Kapsara High School and Immaculate Mukuyu Boys Secondary which lost a dormitory each to the fires.

At St Patrick’s National School in Elgeyo-Marakwet County, the administration has converted one of the unoccupied classrooms into a dormitory to house at least 80 boys.

“We have put in place measures to settle students whose dormitory was burnt down in one of the empty rooms,” said the school’s principal, Wilson Yego.
The situation is similar in Baringo County.

“The boards will decide on ways of meeting the cost of the damage whether it means charging the students or relying on well-wishers,” said Daniel Mosbei, the county director of education.

Property worth over Sh15 million was lost after a one-storey building was set ablaze by arsonists at Kabarnet Boys’ High School.

At Kapchekor Boys’ High School in Baringo North Sub-County, property worth Sh20 million was lost after four classes and the administration block were torched.

In Isiolo, learning will continue at Merti Muslim Girls’ Secondary and Garba-Tulla High School whose dormitories were torched.

Merti Muslim Principal Siadho Adan said the burnt dormitory, which housed 70 girls, will be renovated at the parents’ cost.

“We will reopen the school, but those affected will sleep in one of the classes or dining hall as we plan for the renovation,” she said.
Garba-Tulla Principal Nurr Galm Galgalo said 20 girls will be housed in an old dormitory.

“We are currently connecting power and renovating one of our unused dormitories as we wait for assistance,” he said, adding that the school has received a donation of 17 mattresses from the Methodist Church of Kenya.

Meru County Director of Education Willie Machocho said principals have been directed to find alternative ways of accommodating the students.

Ms Christine Kathambi, a parent at Ruiga Girls’ Secondary School, said they were assured that the students will get alternative accommodation when schools reopen.

REPORT BACK WITH SH5,000

She said that the students were asked to report back with Sh5,000 each.

The case was different at Meru School where parents were not asked to contribute anything despite two dormitories being torched.

“Students will report back as usual. The school will find alternative ways of accommodating the students while the burnt dormitories are reconstructed,” said Mr Patrick Muriungi, a parent at the school.

At Embu High School, dormitories that were set on fire have already been renovated.

The privately owned institution is now ready to receive students next week, a teacher at the institution told the Sunday Nation.
At Itierio Boys High School in Kisii County, six out of seven dormitories which were destroyed by fire in June have been reconstructed.

“Form Four students have reported to school for the third term, and their preparations for the forthcoming Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) examinations are on course,” said the school’s new Principal Isaac Okeyo.

“We are working together with parents, education officials, students and all stakeholders to ensure that the school moves out of the shadow of the unfortunate events of June 2016 into a more glorious chapter,” said Mr Okeyo.

At Kaimosi Boys’ High School in Vihiga County, a dormitory that was partially burnt is being reconstructed in time for Monday’s opening day while at Givole Secondary School, two dormitories which were under construction when fire gutted one dormitory have been completed.

“Yes, we are ready for third term. We had two dormitories whose construction has been completed. Students will use the new dormitories as reconstruction of the other one is going on,” said the Principal, Josline Isigi.

She said construction of the two dormitories was funded by Hamisi CDF and the Vihiga county government.

Kenya Union of Post Primary Education teachers (KUPPET) Secretary-General Akelo Misori called on the government to handle issues affecting the education sector with urgency to forestall any disruptions.

LAST LAP

“Teachers are ready for the task as they know that this is the last lap of the school calendar,” said Mr Misori.

Kenya National Association of Parents Chairman Nathan Barasa asked the government to support parents in the reconstruction of schools.

“The cost of reconstruction should be shared between parents and the government because both had a role in the unrest,” said Mr Barasa adding that some parents may not afford since they have to clear school fees first.

Schools reopen as the public awaits a report from an eight-member special investigation team comprising security experts and educationists that was set up to look into the wave of unrest that rocked schools last term.

The Sunday Nation has learnt that the team, led by Secretary of Administration in the Office of the President Claire Omolo, is set to embark on writing its report after visiting affected schools.

The report will be presented at a stakeholders conference set for September 23 to look at challenges plaguing the education sector.

Some of the reasons that were advanced as cause of the strike included fear of mock exams, usually a precursor to the national exams, drug and substance abuse and incitement and peer pressure.

There was also concern over lack of parental guidance, as parents are said to have relinquished their duties to the teachers who in turn are forbidden from punishing students.

There was also the issue of political influence, the role of the media in triggering copycat attacks and poor management of schools.

Reporting by Ouma Wanzala, Philip Bwayo, Barnabas Bii, Philemon Suter, Flora Koech, Vivian Jebet, Agnes Aboo, Mary Wambui, Aggrey Omboki, Charles Wanyoro and  Derick Luvega