Govt Postpones Reopening Of All Schools
The devastating effects of the rains in some of the schools were revealed to be so severe that it would be imprudent to risk the lives of learners and staff
Marvin Chege 
The Ministry of Education has announced that the reopening of all primary and secondary schools has been postponed by a week to Monday, May 6, 2024.
In a statement to newsrooms, Education Cabinet Secretary (CS) Ezekiel Machogu revealed that reports received at the Ministry corroborated with data from other relevant Government agencies, show that several schools in various regions of the country have been adversely affected by the rains.
The devastating effects of the rains in some of the schools were revealed to be so severe that it would 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.
Residents sift through the rubble as they recover their belongings after the Nairobi river burst its banks and destroyed their homes within the Mathare Valley settlement in Nairobi, Kenya on April 25, 2024. /REUTERS
"Based on this assessment, the Ministry of Education has resolved to postpone the reopening of all primary and secondary schools by one week, to Monday, May 6, 2024.
"In the meantime, the Ministry will 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," the CS stated.
The Ministry's statement comes in response to appeals to the government from multiple corners to suspend the reopening of schools that was set for Monday, April 29 due to the ongoing floods in the country.
So far, 150 schools across the country have been affected by floods, with some remaining submerged and with no rooftops hours before the opening date.
Collapsed classrooms, submerged schools and destroyed rooftops have been scenes ahead of planned school reopening following heavy downpours across the country.
Concerns persisted about the impact of the heavy rains and flooding on transport infrastructure and road networks, raising questions regarding the feasibility of the resumption of school activities.
Education Principal Secretary Belio Kipsang revealed on Friday, April 26 that the Ministry had begun to analyse the situation in Nairobi County, in particular, hinting that 64 schools in the capital could have their opening dates rescheduled owing to the destruction of classrooms and washrooms.
"In Nairobi County, we have 64 schools which are substantially affected in class and washrooms. In Nairobi, we decided to deal with them as local issues so that we don't need to ask all schools not to open but we can deal with them on isolated cases.
"This is because in Nairobi we have 210 public schools and 800 private schools. For the 64 we might delay their opening," he stated.
Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua announced on Friday that some schools could have their reopening dates extended in a process set to be done on a case-by-case basis.
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