Questions are mounting over the operations of Parklands-based Baitul Hikma International Integrated Group of Schools following our explosive investigations which showed that the institution is in operational without the requisite registration, raising concerns over compliance with Kenya’s education laws and the welfare of learners.
The allegations have triggered concern among residents, parents and education stakeholders, who are questioning how a learning institution could continue operating if it has not met the legal registration requirements set by the Ministry of Education.
According to some details obtained by this publication. The school owners have been bribing some officials within the Ministry of Education who have inturn allowed it to operate.
Efforts to get a comment from the school owner were not scussessful as she failed to receive our several calls some few weeks ago.
Parents and members of the public are now calling for investigations into the school’s legal status, arguing that if the allegations are confirmed, the matter would expose serious gaps in the enforcement of education regulations and oversight of private learning institutions.
Accordong to Nairobi based education expert, the registration is intended to ensure schools meet minimum standards relating to infrastructure, safety, qualified teaching staff, curriculum delivery and the overall welfare of learners.
Institutions operating outside the regulatory framework may place students and parents at unnecessary risk.
Residents have urged the Ministry of Education and other relevant government agencies to urgently establish whether the school is duly registered and, if not, explain how it has continued operating without regulatory intervention.
They have also called for appropriate action against any individuals or institutions found to have violated the law.
unsuccessful by the time of publication. The Ministry of Education had also not issued an official statement regarding the allegations.
The issue is expected to attract increased public scrutiny as authorities face growing pressure to clarify the school’s registration status and assure parents that all learning institutions are operating in accordance with the law.
In addition, the school lack a good playing field and has been constructed on the Riparian Land.
According to documents seen by this publication, concerned residents, through their lawyers, have repeatedly written to the Ministry of Education seeking confirmation on whether Baitul Hikma International Integrated Group of Schools is duly registered and licensed to operate.
The documents indicate that similar inquiries were also made to Nairobi City County, the National Environment Management Authority (NEMA), the National Construction Authority (NCA) and the Water Resources Authority (WRA), but the residents claim they have not received satisfactory responses.
The documents further allege that despite concerns over the school’s registration status, construction and excavation activities have continued on the property, allegedly in defiance of stop orders issued by relevant authorities and existing court orders.
The residents also claim that the developments have exposed more than 290 learners, staff and members of the public to safety and environmental risks, while raising concerns that part of the institution’s developments are situated on riparian land and within a residential area.
They have since called on the government to urgently investigate the school’s legal status and enforce the law where necessary.