Members of Parliament (MPs) on Tuesday, September 17, 2024, got straight into business by scheduling a meeting with Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Migos over a series of recent developments when they were on recess.
In a message relayed by the Speaker of the National Assembly, Moses Wetang’ula, CS Migos is expected to face the House on Wednesday, September 18, 2024, for grilling.
Endarasha fire
Following the Endarasha Hillside Academy fire tragedy that left 21 students dead, the MPs have asked the Education CS to provide a full account of what caused the incident.
Besides explaining the cause, the CS is expected to brief the MPs on measures the Ministry of Education has adopted to protect learners in school.
“The House must be fully apprised of the cause of this tragic incident and the remedial measures proposed by the Ministry,” Speaker Wetang’ula stated.
“On behalf of the House, I wish to extend our deepest condolences to the affected families,” he added.
The summons comes even as the owner of the school, David Kinyua, announced plans for activity resumption. Kinyua told the press that the administration intends to reduce the number of students boarding.
He also indicated that the school has invited parents and other stakeholders for an engagement forum on how learning will resume following the fire incident.
According to Kinyua, the school will also relocate the dormitory, which was razed down, to save the students from trauma.
“Tulikuwa tumeruhusiwa tuanze on Saturday lakini tunajaribu ili tumeet the time ya hawa watoto. Tumetoa dorm mahali ilikuwa inafanywa pia tunataka kuipeleka mahali engine. Pia tumeondoa ata njia ile watoto watakuwa wanapitia, especially boys, so that watakuwa an shida na trauma. (We were allowed to commence on Saturday, and we are trying to meet the timelines. We have moved the dorm to another place, and we have also removed the walking path, especially for boys, so that they will not have issues with trauma),” David Kinyua explained.
Varsity funding model
Meanwhile, Wetang’ula announced that CS Migos will respond to questions raised by lawmakers during the Member’s Kamukunji held on August 20, 2024, regarding the new university funding model.
According to a communiqué from Parliament, CS Migos is also expected to provide the approximate total cost of education for an individual from the basic education level to the tertiary level and details on the amount of money that goes towards education bursaries and scholarships every year.
Despite President William Ruto forming a team to review the model, MPs want answers from the CS on the queries that were raised earlier.
“The Cabinet Secretary will be expected to provide a comprehensive report on the progress made in implementing the New Funding Model, as well as measures taken to simplify the model and enlighten the public,” Speaker Wetang’ula stated.
