Basic Education Principal Secretary Julius Bitok has ruled out an early midterm closure of schools, assuring parents and learners that learning remains uninterrupted in the majority of institutions across the country despite recent cases of unrest.
In a statement issued on Thursday, June 4, 2026, Bitok said the Ministry of Education is closely monitoring the situation and has put in place targeted interventions to address emerging challenges in affected schools.
The PS noted that incidents of unrest have only been reported in a few institutions and are being managed through enhanced dialogue with learners and a nationwide audit of safety standards.
“We remain keenly aware of the challenges that have recently disrupted learning in some parts of the country. The Ministry is actively undertaking targeted interventions in collaboration with relevant stakeholders to restore normalcy, safeguard learning, and ensure that our learners remain in school,” Bitok said.
“Our focus is clear: protecting the right of every child to uninterrupted education, strengthening stability within our institutions, and addressing emerging concerns with urgency and responsibility,” he added.
Bitok emphasized the government’s commitment to providing a safe, secure and conducive learning environment for all students, saying recent achievements by learners across the country underscore the importance of maintaining stability in schools.
His remarks come amid heightened concern over student safety following a series of unrest and fire incidents reported in learning institutions in recent weeks.
On Thursday, Alliance High School asked parents to pick up their sons and take them home for the weekend following an incident involving a section of mattresses in one of the school’s older dormitories.
In a notice to parents, the school administration said the incident was promptly contained and managed, assuring families that all students were safe, accounted for and continuing with normal academic activities.
The school’s Board of Management and administration convened a meeting with parents to brief them on the situation, explain measures taken and discuss plans aimed at safeguarding student welfare and maintaining a conducive learning environment.
According to the school, parents were requested to spend the weekend with their sons as the institution undertakes further internal reviews and safety assessments.
The administration stressed that the decision was purely precautionary and not a response to any immediate threat.
“We wish to reassure all parents that there is no cause for alarm,” the school said, adding that the move was intended to support students’ well-being and maintain confidence within the school community.
The latest developments come as authorities intensify efforts to strengthen safety measures in schools following a deadly fire at Utumishi Girls Academy in Gilgil, where at least 16 students lost their lives. Nine students have since been arrested in connection with the suspected arson attack.
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