The Government has postponed the opening of primary and secondary schools for the second term by one week due to the ongoing rains.
The schools were to resume today, April 29, 2024, but now will open on May 6, 2024.
The Education Cabinet Secretary, Ezekiel Machogu through a statement released on Monday morning said they have received data that some schools have been adversely affected by floods.
“In the face of the ongoing heavy rains, the Ministry of Education last week directed its field officers to submit data from all Basic Education Learning Institutions countrywide to assist the Government in assessing the readiness of the schools for the Second Term opening on Monday, April 29, 2024,” reads part of the statement.
Machogu said the Ministry has received corroborated data from other relevant Government agencies that shows that the devastating effects of rains in some of the schools is 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 of all affected school communities.
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“Based on this assessment, MoE has resolved to postpone the reopening of all primary and secondary schools by one week, to Monday May 6, 2024,” Machogu said.
The CS further revealed that for the meantime, the Ministry will work with relevant agencies and stakeholders to put in place measures to mitigate the adverse effects of the rains and provide regular updates on all developments as pertains to the education sector.
The continuing pounding rains have caused floods which have so far killed over 80 people, displaced at least 131,450 and destroyed properties worth over billions.
The Tana River County has warned that the rains could continue in various parts of the country for the next seven days, adding that there risks of landslides on steep slopes.
The floods have badly affected the Tana River County due to River Tana breaking its banks displacing families and destroying infrastructures. Other areas affected are Nairobi, parts of Rift Valley, Nyanza, Western and Central Kenya.
By Brian Ndigo
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