Worries Mount for Parents and Teachers as Schools Reopen Next Week

Worries Mount for Parents and Teachers as Schools Reopen Next Week

Parents are facing school costs and transportation issues after President William Ruto ordered a resumption of learning on Monday next week.

Teachers and parents face obstacles such as ensuring student safety during rainy days, addressing sanitation issues, and creating a conducive learning environment.

Concerns included whether parents will receive a fee reprieve, the recovery of lost learning time, and psychosocial help for children who have lost family members to flooding.

However, on Tuesday, President Ruto reassured parents about their children’s safety. He stated that the decision to reopen schools came after the weatherman confirmed that the rains would diminish in the coming days.

Ruto announced that the government and weather experts have deemed it safe for children to return to school.

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He spoke at State House in Nairobi during a meeting with grassroots leaders from Kajiado Central and Laikipia North constituencies. 

The decision comes after the administration postponed reopening twice as heavy rains continued to fall over the country.

The second-term calendar indicated that learning would resume on April 29, 2024.

However, the Ministry of Education postponed the exercise for another week as the consequences of the severe rains worsened. 

Although the Cabinet approved the reopening of schools on May 6, Ruto postponed the exercise indefinitely.

He noted the impending effects of heavy rainfall and the dangers posed by severe winds, particularly Cyclone Hidaya.

Transportation

The rains also ruined bridges and roads linking several of the schools, raising concerns about their children’s safety. President Ruto, however, stated that the government will collaborate with development partners to rebuild damaged roads.

Some parents expressed concern about having to pay again for transportation due to delayed communication from Education Cabinet Secretary Ezekiel Machogu regarding the postponement.

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Parents stated that the exorbitant cost of living and the devastation caused by torrential rains had left them financially impoverished, making it difficult to pay fees on time.

National Parents Association Chairperson Silas Obuhatsa stated that flooding caused property loss for some households and displacement for others, both of which require consideration.

He stated that, given the challenging times that some families have endured, which resulted in property loss, it would be equitable to offer them leniency in fee payments.

Worries Mount for Parents and Teachers as Schools Reopen Next Week

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