In summary:
Both parents and pupils of Precious Top Talents Academy are yet to come to terms with the shut -down of their favourite institution.

Their faith in their school is built on a solid rock and nothing can keep them away, not even imminent death.

They, therefore, camp outside the collapsed school waiting to see whether the school will be re-opened despite Professor Magoha’s directive to have their kids transferred to other neighbouring schools.

UNWAVERING FAITH

Parents and pupils of Precious Top Talents Academy in Nairobi are yet to believe that their beloved institution is no more.

Consequently, they camp outside the ruins of the collapsed building as they await word from the Ministry of Education regarding the re-opening of the school.

This is in spite of the numerous injuries incurred by the children and the trauma that those who witnessed the tragedy must be going through.

One of the standard eight pupils confessed that although she narrowly escaped death, her ardent desire is to remain and hold on to her favourite institution- Precious Top Talents.

She prefers remaining in the institution to being transferred to other institutions.

Kerubo, the pupil is not alone.

Many parents say that they want their children to continue schooling at the school even though the school building collapsed, killing eight children.

One week after the tragedy, the visitors are served with heavily guarded wooden doors.

The pupils’ belonging, mostly bags lay haphazardly on desks inside the heavily secured classrooms.

The adamant parents and their children who crowded outside the building demanded for their books and other learning materials.

AN ICON
For many residents in Ngando area, Precious Top Talents remains an icon and a resolution to their education quest.

This is due to the school’s exemplary performance, affordability and accessibility.

The school charges approximately sh 21 000 per annum.

PUBLIC SCHOOLS PHOBIA
The parents have further pointed a finger at Professor George Magoha, the CS for Education for hurriedly transferring their children to public primary schools whose performance is wanting, way below par.

For them, Ngong Forest Primary, Jamhuri and Riruta can never surpass the collapsed school in terms of performance.

They also cited the long-distance challenge since their children will be obliged to trek for almost three kilometres to their new learning stations.

The parents also expressed fear that their children are likely to be susceptible to security threats as they traverse the vast Ngong’Forest.

MAKE-SHIFT CLASSROOMS
One of the parents, Mr Nyabuto even suggested that the school should be allowed to build make-shift classrooms as they wait for a more permanent solution to the entire stalemate.

This is because the learners had a close bond, something close to covalent among themselves and with their instructors. Therefore, splitting them will greatly affect their overall performance.

Against all odds, the school is known for posting excellent academic results during national examinations. Many candidates attain over 400 out of 500 marks.

WITCH-HUNT
The parents have also cited witch-hunt on the side of the government since there are many poorly constructed schools which have not been targeted.

In response to these allegations, Professor Magoha said that the parents were being incited by politicians to remain adamant.

EMPLOY ADDITIONAL STAFF IN SCHOOLS BASED ON YOUR CAPACITY TO PAY; SCHOOL ADMINISTRATORS WARNED AGAINST OVERSTAFFING

CHECK OUT THE LATEST MINISTRY OF EDUCATION’S GUIDELINES ON THE RECRUITMENT OF BOM TEACHERS AND SUBORDINATE STAFF IN PUBLIC SCHOOLS

School management boards have received guidelines from the Ministry of Education that should govern the employment of additional staff-both teaching and non-teaching in schools.

According to MOE guidelines, schools should employ extra staff on terms that match their capacity to pay and workers’ qualifications.

While releasing the guidelines, PS Education Belio Kipsang cautioned school managers against the haphazard recruitment of additional teachers and subordinate staff since it is likely to balloon the wage bill.

SCHOOLS SHOULD MAINTAIN LEAN ADDITIONAL STAFF

In October 2017, a rationalized set of staff recruitment rules directed all schools to maintain lean staff to ensure manageable payrolls.

The guidelines are based on the findings of Dr. Kilemi Mwiria’s education task force which capped non-teaching staff’s salary at Kshs 41, 000.

Secretaries employed in public schools should earn between Kshs 24, 662, and Kshs 12, 510.

Messengers who fall in job group D should earn up to Kshs 11, 370. Storekeepers, on the other hand, should earn a minimum of Kshs 12, 510, and a maximum of Kshs 21, 304.

School bursars should earn a maximum of Kshs 41, 590 per month. The minimum proposed pay should be Kshs 31, 020.

QUALIFICATIONS FOR SUBORDINATE STAFF IN SCHOOLS

According to MOE guidelines, security personnel and cooks who fall under job groups C and D should have a form four certificate. They should earn a minimum salary of Sh 9, 660, and a maximum of Sh 11, 370.

A storekeeper should have a certificate in procurement or supplies management. Nurses employed by schools should double up as matrons. Since they fall under job groups H and J, they should earn a maximum of Sh 24, 662. Besides, they should have a certificate in nursing.

Bursars should have Certified Public Accountant, CPA III.

Cateresses who fall under job groups F and G are expected to have a KNEC Certificate in Catering.

The kitchen hand staff must have a standard eight certificate.

STUDENTS’ ENROLMENT DATA

The report recommended that schools should employ staff based on student’s enrolment data and the number of streams.

Essential staff should also be employed on permanent and pensionable terms. The recruitment must be pegged on the set rules and regulations.

A total of nine vote heads are listed in the guidelines for funding from the government.