Ezekiel Machogu: No opening of schools till next week
An empty form one class room at Kivumbini secondary school during the reporting day on January 16, 2024.
Parents and guardians of school children woke up today to the surprise news that the Ministry of Education has postponed the reopening of schools from today to May 6, 2024.
According to a statement sent to newsrooms on Monday morning, the postponement is due to the ongoing heavy rains that have left many areas flooded.
Education CS Dr Ezekiel Machogu says a number of schools in various regions have been affected by the rains.
"The devastating effects in some schools are so severe that it would be imprudent to risk the lives of learners and staff before waterproofing measures are put in place," said Dr Machogu.
"Based on this assessment, the Ministry of Education has decided 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 will provide regular updates on all developments affecting the education sector," he said.
The news was met with mixed reactions, with a section of parents lambasting the ministry for not releasing such vital information in time.
"What kind of incompetence is this? Students are already travelling to schools," said Ianjay.
"I wonder why they are releasing such information in the middle of the night, many were sleeping and I'm sure they will wake up knowing it's a school day. .... So sad my country Kenya," said Karemilogan.
"Yaani 2am ndio wanapostpone reopening. Incompetence of the highest order," said awiti_jane.
"Saaa saba ya usiku hata hawana aibu," John Ogol said.
"Releasing a press statement at 1am is crazy," Reil said.