The Ministry of Education has announced a postponement of school reopening dates for the second term, extending the holidays by a week due to the heavy rains that continue to drench the nation.
In a press release signed by Dr. Ezekiel Machogu, the Cabinet Secretary for the Ministry of Education, the government has decided to shift the starting date from Monday, April 29 to Monday, May 6, 2024.
This cautious step comes after last week's directive which had ordered all basic education learning Institutions send in reports about the rain's impact on their readiness to welcome back the learners.
After a thorough review of the situations reported from different schools across Kenya, the ministry came to the conclusion that the safety of students and staff could not be guaranteed amidst the current weather conditions.
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"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," stated the Ministry in their press statement.
This decision aligns with the ministry's top priority which is the safety of all school community members.
The latest downpours have resulted in widespread floods, affecting thousands of families and damaging infrastructure.
These heavy rains, forecasted by the Kenya Meteorological Department to continue, have caused chaos, leading to loss of lives and leaving many displaced.
The ministry is not alone in dealing with the crisis. They are collaborating with various agencies and stakeholders to ensure that all necessary steps are taken to mitigate the effects of the ongoing downpours.
The goal is to ensure that when students do return to school, they come back to a safe and secure learning environment.
Parents and guardians are being advised to stay updated through credible sources as the ministry pledges to keep the public informed on any new developments.
The next few days are crucial for the emergency response teams as they work around the clock to assess and rectify the damages caused by the floods.