Over 400 learning institutions shut in a crackdown

Winstone Chiseremi   and Sophie Njoka

Over 400 learning institutions in Uasin Gishu and Mombasa counties have been closed following the recent crackdown on unregistered schools across the country.

 In Uasin Gishu, the fate of 300 learners from nine private primary and secondary schools hangs in the balance after the government closed the institutions upon establishing that they are not registered.

 County director of education Gitonga Mbaka (pictured) who led a multi-agency team in the crackdown said the majority of schools shut are situated in Langas informal settlement area in the outskirts of Eldoret town.

He said arrangements have already been made to relocate learners from the closed schools to public run institutions in Kipkaren and Cheptiret areas so that they continue with their studies without disruption.

 In Mombasa, 147 schools were shut after their infrastructure was found to pose health and safety risks to learners.

Coast regional director of education Hassan Duale said some of the schools are operated illegally while the others have substandard structures.

Duale said pupils at the affected institutions have been placed in nearby public schools.