Education Cabinet Secretary Ezekiel Machogu has been summoned to appear before the National Assembly Committee on Education to address concerns regarding last-minute changes to school opening dates.
The MPs are seeking clarification on the effects of the sudden communication announcing the changes and its impact on the academic term dates.
The Ministry of Education announced changes to the school opening dates on Monday, shifting the reporting date for learners from April 29 to May 6, 2024. The announcement, conveyed through a circular issued around 1:00 am, sparked public outrage due to its untimeliness.
Many parents expressed dissatisfaction with the timing of the communication, as some students had already commenced their travel to schools. Consequently, numerous students were left stranded in bus stations on Monday morning.
The decision to postpone the school opening was attributed to ongoing floods, with Education Cabinet Secretary Ezekiel Machogu stating that the ministry had directed field officers to collect data from all Basic Education Learning Institutions nationwide to assess the adverse effects of heavy rains.
In defense of the decision, Machogu emphasized the importance of prioritizing the safety of learners, acknowledging the criticism regarding the timing of the message.
Machogu’s appearance before the National Assembly Committee on Education is expected to provide further insight into the rationale behind the last-minute changes and address concerns raised by stakeholders regarding the impact on the academic calendar.
