Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Ogamba has ordered the immediate dissolution of the Utumishi Girls Academy Board of Management following the deadly dormitory fire that claimed the lives of 16 students.
Addressing the press on Friday, May 29, Ogamba accused the school administration of gross negligence and failure to comply with safety standards outlined in the School Safety Manual and Basic Education Regulations.
According to the CS, preliminary investigations revealed that the affected dormitory was overcrowded and that one of the emergency exit doors had been locked, contrary to safety requirements.
Ogamba further disclosed that two teachers had received information about a planned unrest involving some Form Three students before the fire but allegedly failed to take preventive action.
“Consequently, the Board of Management of Utumishi Girls Academy has been dissolved for failing to ensure compliance with the School Safety Manual and the Basic Education Regulations,” Ogamba announced.
The CS also directed the Teachers Service Commission (TSC) to begin immediate disciplinary proceedings against the school principal and the two teachers accused of ignoring warnings before the tragedy.
He added that investigations were ongoing to determine whether officers from the Ministry of Education and TSC were also negligent in their duties.
Ogamba confirmed that the fire is now being treated as an arson attack, revealing that eight students have been detained as persons of interest in the ongoing investigation.
“The investigation will ascertain their individual roles in the planning and execution of this heinous act,” he stated.