The Ministry of Education has postponed the reopening of primary and secondary schools by one week to May 6, citing the devastating impact of ongoing heavy rains that have rendered a number of learning institutions across the country unsafe for students and staff.
In a statement issued on Monday morning, Education Cabinet Secretary Ezekiel Machogu said the decision to delay the start of the second term, initially scheduled for April 29, was based on reports and assessments from field officers and other relevant government agencies.
The reports revealed that some schools had been severely affected by the rains, posing potential risks to the lives of learners and staff if they were to reopen as initially planned.
“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,” Dr. Machogu said in the statement.
The Cabinet Secretary emphasized that the Ministry of Education would work closely with other stakeholders and agencies to mitigate the adverse effects of the rains and ensure that necessary measures are taken to prepare the affected schools for a safe reopening on May 6.
Some social media users have welcomed the move, citing the government’s prioritization of student safety as a prudent step. However, some have raised concerns about the potential impact of the announcement which was released at around 1:30 am whereas some students had started their journey back to school.
“Why was this obvious decision not made earlier, some kids are already on the road to their schools…”, social media user Kachwanya asked.
The Ministry of Education has pledged to provide regular updates on the situation and the measures being taken to address the challenges posed by the heavy rains, as the country grapples with the impact of climate change and the increasing frequency of extreme weather events.
