The Government of Kenya, through the Ministry of Education, has announced changes to school opening dates.
Learners, who were initially expected to start reporting to school on Monday, April 29, will now be expected to report from May 6, 2024. This one-week extension of school holidays is a response to the heavy rains experienced in the country, resulting in floods on major roads.
Education Cabinet Secretary Ezekiel Machogu stated that the ministry directed field officers to collect data from all Basic Education Learning Institutions nationwide, where adverse effects of the heavy rains were reported. Based on this information, the decision to postpone school opening was made.
“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,” added the CS.
The floods have not only hindered transport in various areas, but also killed more than 70 people. Homes have been submerged in water, forcing displaced families to seek shelter in schools and other public institutions.
