Endarasha Hillside Academy Reopening Rescheduled to October 9

 In a hurry? Here’s a quick summary…

• Endarasha Hillside Academy has postponed reopening by two days to finalize safety preparations after a fire tragedy that killed 21 boys.

• The school reduced boarding capacity and made safety improvements, with government support providing essential supplies for the affected students.

Almost a month after the tragic fire at Endarasha Hillside Academy that claimed the lives of 21 boys, the school has postponed its reopening by two days. 

Following a stakeholder meeting, the reopening date has been moved from Monday, October 7, to Wednesday, October 9, 2024, to ensure adequate preparations are in place.

Jane Njogu, the Nyeri County Director of Education, explained that while preparations are progressing well, some work remains unfinished. 

"We have looked at those recommendations against the checklist and realized that there is some work that's incomplete. The contractors informed us it wouldn’t be possible to complete everything by Sunday," she stated.

Read Also:

Grief Overwhelms Thousands at Funeral for Endarasha Academy Fire Victims

Government Plans M-Pesa Deductions to Recover Sh7B from Hustler Fund Defaulters

Njambi wa Njau Exits Inooro TV for New Opportunity in the U.S

In response to safety recommendations, the school has reduced the number of boarding students and replaced all wooden beds in the girls' dormitory with metallic ones. 

The boys will be temporarily accommodated in Junior Secondary School (JSS) classes while their new dormitory is under construction, adhering to the requirement of eliminating all wooden structures.

The recent meeting at the school aimed to ensure all safety measures are implemented before reopening. 

Njogu added, "We realized that parents were also becoming anxious because the assessments for classes other than KPSEA had started, so we want to assure them that all is well."

Parents have been actively involved in supporting their children during this difficult time. "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," said Nancy Muthoni Maina, a parent.

To assist with the reopening, the government has provided essential items, including 200 blankets, 200 mattresses, foodstuff, and utensils. 

"The boys lost their personal items, and the government has provided them with Ksh. 21,000 and other assistance to help them buy personal belongings," noted Agnes Shadrack, the Deputy County Commissioner of Kieni West.

Another parent, Debora Wacika, expressed gratitude for the school's renovations, saying, "Hatuna hofu yeyote, tunashukuru shule imepakwa rangi mpya, sasa tumekuja pahali papya. Kwa hivyo hiyo ilikuwa tu accident kama zile nyingine." 

Additionally, the school has reduced its boarding capacity from 300 to 195 students, comprising 97 boys and 98 girls, as part of efforts to decongest the facility.