Schools running unauthorised boarding sections face action from the Ministry of Education and Sports as it moves to enforce learner safety standards.
State Minister for Sports Peter Ogwang also warned government schools against diverting funds meant for free education to boarding operations that lack approval.
Presenting a statement to Parliament on October 29, 2026, Ogwang said concerns about boarding facilities had prompted the ministry to spell out the requirements schools must meet.
“A boarding section must be properly authorised, adequately resourced, regularly inspected and run in the best interests of learners,” he said.
Schools must provide proper supervision and clear channels for reporting abuse. They must also meet standards for food, nutrition and hygiene, and define who pays for facilities and maintains them.
Ogwang said schools would have to correct shortcomings identified during inspections.
“Schools will be required to address any gaps identified, and appropriate action will be taken against facilities that operate unlawfully or expose learners to unacceptable risk.”
He said boarding remains voluntary in schools under Universal Primary Education (UPE) and Universal Secondary Education (USE). Such arrangements should help disadvantaged children access education, without creating barriers to free learning.
The ministry will periodically review the need for boarding sections in UPE and USE schools.
MPs welcomed the guidelines.
