This archive report was first published on 26 August 2020.
On August 26, 2020, the Ministry of Education launched an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the closure of Highway Secondary School in Kisumu, which has been turned into a hospital.
The school, located along the Kisumu-Kakamega road, near Kibuye Market, was closed down permanently due to financial strain, according to Highway School Manager Ali Nasoor.
At least 54 Form Four students who had registered to sit the Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) at the school are now staring at a bleak future following the closure of the community institution.
Another 50 students in Forms One, Two, and Three have also been affected by the move.
When The Standard tracked down some of the students to their homes, the learners said they were not aware of the changes and were equally surprised.
“I was heading to town when I saw the new signage on top of our classroom. I shared the same with my parents who called the principal to inquire about it,” said Alfani Yusuf, a KCSE candidate.
According to Yusuf, when all students were sent home in March following the closure of all learning institutions due to the coronavirus, they were not aware of the impending shutdown.
Shamim Margret, also a Form Four student, said she learnt of the changes through a friend.
“After a friend told me, I didn’t believe it until I saw it myself. I found a different guard and signage,” she said.
Highway School Manager Ali Nasoor confirmed that the school had been closed down permanently because of financial strain.
“We owe teachers about Sh1.5 million, and suppliers another Sh3 million. The fees paid by the students was not enough to pay these bills,” he said.
Renovations are being done to turn the school into a hospital, with Frank Sanyo, the hospital’s administrator, confirming they would move in after the renovations are done.
Isaac Atebe, the County Director of Education, said he has dispatched a team from his office on a fact-finding mission.
