Ministry Instructs Schools to Retain Students Who Have Reported

Ministry Instructs Schools to Retain Students Who Have Reported

The Ministry of Education has given an update on the postponement of school reopenings, requesting that schools where students have already reported be retained within the institutions. 

In a circular to County Directors of Education, Basic Education Principal Secretary Belio Kipsang stated that schools are responsible for the safety of students who had already reported before the announcement of the postponement of reopening dates.

“Such learners should be retained within the school premises and not exposed to the dangers of traveling back home under the current adverse weather conditions,” Kipsang said. 

“Any learner who has not traveled to school should remain at home,” he said. 

Schools were supposed to reopen on Monday, April 29, for the second term, but the ministry extended it to May 6 after an audit revealed that many schools had been affected by the continued severe rains.

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Ezekiel Machogu, the Education Cabinet Secretary, faced significant criticism for abruptly postponing the school opening, leading to confusion among students, parents, and guardians.

He stated at 1 a.m. on Monday that the government had pushed the school opening dates a week ahead due to ongoing heavy rains across the country.

The schools, originally scheduled to open on Monday, April 29, have now been postponed to Monday, May 6, due to flooding caused by the rains.

Meru County Woman Rep. Elizabeth Karambu criticized Machogu for the late decision, stating that the decision to postpone school reopening came a bit late. 

Tetu MP Geoffrey Wandeto, appearing alongside her on Citizen TV’s Day Break, echoed her sentiments.

He emphasized the importance of Machogu being decisive with the data at his disposal to avoid inconveniencing Kenyans and schoolchildren. 

Wandeto remarked that although Machogu’s decision came late, it was the right one, emphasizing the need for early action based on available data.

Dr. Ahmed Kalebi expressed concern about the fate of boarding school students who had already traveled to reopen schools.

Dr. Ahmed Kalebi questioned the appropriateness of returning these students home, highlighting the associated risks and costs.

Lawyer Nelson Havi also criticized the timing of the announcement, questioning how the CS could issue the notice on the morning of school opening day.

The late communication not only affected students and their families, but also disrupted the transportation sector.

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Operators had to issue refunds to students who had reserved seats for their school travel. Modern Coast issued a statement advising parents and guardians to rebook seats for their school kids for the following week due to safety concerns.

Machogu’s announcement came a day after Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua insisted that schools would reopen as planned, despite adverse weather conditions.

Gachagua announced the relocation of flood-displaced families to other camps to facilitate the resumption of learning.

Ministry Instructs Schools to Retain Students Who Have Reported

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