Utumishi Girls Academy will begin a phased reopening on Thursday after education officials, school administrators and parents reached an agreement on the way forward following the dormitory fire that claimed the lives of 16 students last month.
The decision was reached after an eight-hour meeting held at the school in Nakuru County, where stakeholders discussed measures to restore learning while addressing concerns over student safety, accommodation and essential services.
Under the plan, Form Four students will report back on Thursday, while learners in the remaining classes are expected to return next Monday.
The school has been struggling to accommodate students since the fire destroyed one of its largest dormitories, prompting authorities to introduce temporary measures as long-term reconstruction plans are being prepared.
Workers were seen putting up temporary structures within the school compound ahead of the reopening. However, the proposed use of tents drew opposition from some parents, who insisted that students should instead be accommodated in dormitories that were not affected by the fire.
“The dorms that were not affected by the fire should be used for our girls. We have also seen tents being put up, but we are not in agreement with that arrangement,” said one parent.
Other parents urged the government to fast-track the construction of a replacement dormitory, warning that temporary arrangements should not become a long-term solution.
“We should be given until August, beyond that we will have to decide. There is no need to see the government building expensive projects elsewhere while children have died here and we are still without proper dorms,” another parent said.
As part of efforts to stabilise the institution, Rift Valley Regional Education Director James Indimuli announced that the Ministry of Education had appointed a new principal to take over the management of the school.
“There should not be anything straining the relationship between teachers, students, and parents. The TSC posts professionally qualified people. There is a new principal coming in from a similar school, and we do not foresee disruption,” he said.
Indimuli expressed confidence that the leadership transition would be smooth and would help restore confidence among parents, teachers and learners as classes resume.
The gradual reopening is expected to allow learning to continue while giving authorities time to improve safety standards, ease congestion in student accommodation and implement long-term rebuilding plans.
Parents, meanwhile, say they will continue engaging the government to ensure permanent solutions are delivered and that the tragedy leads to stronger safety measures in schools.
