The government on Sunday night announced that it has postponed the scheduled school reopening to Monday, May 6, 2024.
In a statement seen by WoK, Education Cabinet Secretary Ezekiel Machogu said they have received information that some schools have been adversely affected by the ongoing floods.
“The Ministry of Education has resolved to postpone the reopening of all primary and secondary schools by one week, to Monday, May 6, 2024,” the CS said.
The CS said the lives of learners and school staff will be in danger due to the situation on the ground after the heavy rains.
“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 of all affected school communities,” Machogu added.
The late announcement by the government to postpone school reopening was scheduled for Monday, April 29 has caused outrage.
Many parents said they had sent children to school only to see the postponement announcement.
“How can this gava change the school’s reopening dates at the last minute when some students have already travelled hundreds of miles to report to school? Tuwaombee please,” Fred Obachi wondered.
Lawyer Nelson Havi criticised the Education Ministry for issuing the notice on the morning children have gone to school.
“How do you issue notice of postponement of school opening day on the morning of school opening day?” Havi asked.
Parents said the late notice left them frustrated and confused as Kenya’s met department had even warned the heavy rains would get worse two weeks ago.
The government should have used that to postpone school reopening earlier.
“Wazazi wamejaa Town na watoto wao. Very frustrated. Their faces are “Bleeding,” Ronny Reagan said
