I have directed the area sub-county director of education to ensure all schools adhere to stipulated time tables of the institutions closure, says Athi River deputy county commissioner Geoffrey Omoding.’
Omoding’ said it was unfortunate some schools in the region especially private ones were still in operation in spite the fact the Ministry of Education’s tuition calendar had elapsed on October 28.
“We stand by the government that all schools ought to had closed down by October, 28, 2016,” said Omoding’.
He addressed the press at his office in Athi River town on Wednesday.
Omoding’ said the police had launched a crack-down on schools which had not closed to ensure all were forcibly shut as expected by the government.
He said 12 academies most of which are owned by churches were forced to close for December holidays by police officers on Tuesday.
The Bondeni slum’s Church of God and Embakasi’s Eagle Academy owned by Deliverance Church are some of the institutions which their directors were forced to immediately shut down on Tuesday during the raid.
Omoding’ said no arrests were made during the crackdowns.
He said the schools’ directors claimed they delayed closing for the long holiday since they had suspended their programs for the recently concluded Kenya Certificate of Primary Education.
Omoding’ said he suspects most of the schools especially those run by many mushrooming churches in the sub-county were not registered hence operating illegally.
“We want to inspect all the schools especially private ones to ensure they meet all regulations meant for running such institutions so as not to flout rules. I suspect there are so many schools not registered in Athi River sub-county,” said Omoding’.
“We will crack down on them in January,” said Omoding’.
He said directors of schools found operating illegally will be arrested and charged in court.