The Ministry of Education has taken the step of closing St. Theresa’s Eregi Girls’ High School following the hospitalization of numerous students due to a mysterious illness.
Education authorities in Kakamega County opted to temporarily shutter the school on Wednesday, prompted by student unrest. The students were demanding permission to return home after an outbreak of a ‘strange illness’ led to the hospitalization of 90 learners.
A joint statement issued by the County Government, the Board of Management, Ministry of Education officials, and the Teachers Service Commission confirmed that this decision followed consultations among these parties.
“‘Form 1, 2, and 3 students were allowed a temporary break and are expected to return next week once a careful assessment has been conducted, and necessary measures have been put in place to prevent a similar situation from recurring,'” the statement read.
Form 4 students, who are preparing for exams, will remain in school.
County officials, including the County Executive Committee Member for Education, Science, and Technology Bonface Okoth, and his Health Services counterpart Benard Wesonga, visited the school on Wednesday. They expressed the county government’s commitment to addressing the health challenge.
According to Okoth, over 95 students were hospitalized as a result of the incident. Blood samples from the affected students have been sent to the Kenya Medical Research Institute (Kemri) in Nairobi and Kisumu for further analysis.
He emphasized the county government’s dedication to ensuring the safety and well-being of all students in educational institutions and creating an environment conducive to academic success, free from disruptions and harm.