Schools
In the wake of mysterious fires razing dormitories in several boarding schools within the country, North Imenti MP Rahim Dawood proposes that boarding schools should be abolished especially if the current student unrest continues.
Speaking at CCM Township Day secondary school in Meru town, Dawood said it was regrettable that the fire incidents could lead to injuries and unnecessary loss of lives in addition to property. He added that if the current trend of burning school dormitories continues the government will have no alternative but to abolish boarding schools in the country as they appear to be the source of all these problems.
“It is surprising that these fires are only witnessed in boarding and not day schools. Another thing is that the incidences usually occur during exam times which mostly falls in the third term of the academic year. In the wake of this, the government should consider adopting the proposal to abolish boarding schools or seek to find out the main causes of these fires to avert loss of lives and property in our schools,” said Mr Dawood.
The MP at the same time advised the learners to seek guidance and counseling from teachers, parents, and education officials in case they are facing problems instead of burning dormitories which may lead to the death of innocent students. He condoled with the victims of the Endarasha Hillside Academy fire tragedy noting that, he has visited several boarding schools and was not happy with the accommodation facilities in the institutions.
“The Ministry of Education should evaluate the model of boarding schools to make it safe and friendly to learners. It should also be made mandatory for matrons to sleep in the dormitories and not outside so that they can intervene in case of danger,” said Mr Dawood.