ENDARASHA HILLSIDE ACADEMY: Nyeri School Reopening Pushed, Re-Construction Ongoing
Almost a month after the Endarasha Hillside Academy fire tragedy, which killed 21 boys, the school has postponed its reopening by two days.
A stakeholder meeting at the school moved the reopening date from Monday, October 7, to Wednesday, October 9, 2024, to allow for adequate preparations.
“We have looked at those recommendations against the checklist and we realized that the preparations are in top gear,” Jane Njogu, Nyeri County Director of Education, said.
“However, we realized that there is some work that’s incomplete, and the fundis told us that it was not possible to be complete by Sunday.”
The school has reduced the number of boarding students, with all wooden beds in the girls’ dormitory replaced with metallic ones in accordance with the committee’s recommendations on school safety.
Endarasha School Re-Opening:
— Citizen TV Kenya (@citizentvkenya) October 3, 2024
Re-opening of Hillside Endarasha Academy postponed
Re-opening of the school pushed to October 9, 2024
Njogu: Construction in the school is still underway
21 pupils perished following a fire incident in the school#CitizenTonight @SamGituku pic.twitter.com/adE1GDYwbM
While their dormitory is being built, the boys will attend Junior Secondary School (JSS) classes. One of the requirements was to remove all wooden structures.
The Thursday meeting at the school was intended to ensure that all safety precautions are in place prior to the reopening.
“We realized that parents were also becoming anxious because the assessments for classes other than KPSEA had started, so we want to come and assure them that all is well,” Njogu added.
“Kwa sasa tumesaidia watoto wetu nyumbani. We have been counseling…my brother, tulimpeleka therapy, tukampeleka kanisani. Tumemshughulikia, tumemuongelesha, na hapa tumekuja shuleni tumeomba, tumeabudu Mungu,” Nancy Muthoni Maina, a parent, said.
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The government has provided 200 blankets, 200 mattresses, food, and utensils in preparation for the opening.
“The boys lost their personal items, and so the government has provided them with Ksh.21,000 and other assistance to help them buy personal belongings for their children,” said Agnes Shadrack, the Deputy County Commissioner, Kieni West.
“Hatuna hofu yeyote, tunashukuru shule imepakwa rangi mpya, sasa tumekuja pahali papya. Kwa hivyo hiyo ilikuwa tu accident kama zile nyingine,” Debora Wacika, another parent, added.
In an effort to reduce congestion, the school has reduced the number of boarding students from 300 to 195, with 97 boys and 98 girls.
ENDARASHA HILLSIDE ACADEMY: Nyeri School Reopening Pushed, Re-Construction Ongoing
