Basic Education Principal Secretary (PS) Dr Belio Kipsang’ has directed schools to retain learners who had already reported by the time term dates were changed.
In a circular to County Directors of Education (CDEs) yesterday, the PS said that schools bear the full responsibility for the safety of learners who had already reported before news of the postponement was dispatched.
“Such learners should be retained within the school premises and not exposed to the dangers of travelling back home under the current adverse weather conditions. Any learner who has not travelled to school should remain at home,” Kipsang directed.
Schools were scheduled to reopen yesterday, April 29, for second term but the ministry pushed the reopening date to May 6. Yet by the time of communicating the changes, some learners had already left home for school.
Kipsang’ said the postponement was necessary after an audit indicated that many schools had been significantly impacted by the ongoing heavy rains.
“The destructive consequences of these rains in some of the affected schools are of significant magnitude. Further, the transport systems have also been significantly affected and might not be safe for students to travel,” Kipsang said.
He said pending reopening of schools on May 6, the ministry will collaborate with relevant agencies and stakeholders to implement measures aimed at mitigating adverse effects of the rains, adding that the ministry will also be providing regular updates on all developments concerning the education sector.
In the meantime, the PS directed the CDEs to ensure they relay all the subsequent updates to parents and guardians.
“With the postponement, schools must take measures to secure food supplies already in stores. Proper storage should be assured so that losses are minimized during this period,” Kipsang’ added.
The PS further noted that it is also paramount that schools put in place sufficient security measures to protect school property during the postponement period in order to prevent any potential loss or damage that could occur due to the heavy rains or other related incidents.
He asked schools to provide daily updates on their status of preparedness for reopening and the actions taken to mitigate against flooding.
“These updates are crucial for the ministry to monitor the situation and provide assistance where necessary,” he said.
The schools reopening postponement was announced yesterday by the Education Secretary Ezekiel Machogu after the government received data concerning the states of schools countrywide amid heavy rains which have caused floods.
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By Brian Ndigo
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