Education Cabinet Secretary Ezekiel Machogu has postponed the reopening of schools scheduled for Monday April 29 by one week due to the ongoing floods.
In a statement on Monday April 29 Education Cabinet Secretary Ezekiel Machogu said the Ministry of Education resolved to postpone the reopening of all primary and secondary schools to Monday, May 6, 2024.
“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,” read part of the statement.
“Reports received at the Ministry of Education, corroborated with data from other relevant Government agencies, show that a number of schools in various regions of the country have been adversely affected by the rains.”
Machogu said the devastating effects of the 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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He further directed that the Ministry would 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.
Machogu Postpones Reopening Following Ongoing Floods
A section of church and political leaders had voiced their concerns over the reopening of schools at a time when the country is grappling with the effects of floods.
The directive comes following the ongoing floods in the country that have not only hindered transport in various areas, but also killed more than 80 people.
So far, 150 schools across the country have been affected by floods, with some remaining submerged and with no rooftops.
Several roads and bridges have also been destroyed by floods with some people being swept away by flooded rivers.
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Homes have been submerged in water, leaving many homeless to seek shelter in schools and other public institutions.
The Kenya Meteorological Department has warned that the heavy rainfall is predicted to intensify in the Rift Valley, Highlands West and East of the Rift Valley including Nairobi area, Southeast Lowlands, Lake Victoria Basin and off coast.
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