In an unprecedented move, the Ministry of Education in Kenya has officially postponed the much-anticipated school reopening of basic schools.
On Monday, 29th April, the Kenyan Education Cabinet Secretary Ezekiel Machogu delivered this announcement in a notice. In the statement, he stated that schools were supposed to resume on Monday, 29th April, but has now been postponed to 6th May, 2024 due to heavy rainfall expected within few days.
Explaining the rationale behind the delay in the announcement, Machogu pointed to the relentless heavy rains sweeping across the nation as the primary cause. The Ministry, in its proactive stance, has been rigorously evaluating the readiness of Basic Education Learning Institutions for the impending term.
Machogu expressed grave concerns over the severity of the damage inflicted by the rains on numerous schools, deeming it imprudent to jeopardize the safety of both learners and staff without implementing stringent precautionary measures.
“The devastating effects of the rains in some of the schools are so severe that it will be imprudent to risk the lives of learners and staff before water-tight measures are put in place to ensure adequate safety for all affected school communities,” Machogu said.
Reports streaming in from various regions underscored the widespread disruption caused by the ongoing downpours, compelling the Ministry to reassess its reopening plans. Machogu stressed the heightened risks faced by students and staff, particularly in flood-affected areas.
Consequently, the Ministry of Education has resolved to defer the reopening of all primary and secondary schools by one week, effectively shifting the date to Monday, May 6, 2024. Machogu assured stakeholders of the Ministry’s commitment to collaborating with relevant bodies to tackle the challenges posed by the inclement weather.”
