CS Machogu issues new directives to guide reopening of schools next week

Update: President William Ruto, on Friday, ordered the postponement of school reopening for the second term until further notice.

The Ministry of Education had issued new directives ahead of the reopening of schools scheduled for Monday, May 6, 2024.

In a circular released yesterday, Education Cabinet Secretary Ezekiel Machogu directed parents to ensure that their children safely report to school on time amid the heavy rainfall and floods affecting various parts of the country.

“The prevailing weather conditions pose accessibility challenges due to flash floods, swollen rivers, and landslides, thus affecting the transport system for learners to and from school,” Machogu stated. 

He also directed field education officers working in areas where schools host displaced persons to liaise with local National Government Administration Officers (NGAO) to immediately identify alternative accommodations for affected persons and ensure the facilities are available for normal learning activities.

Field education officers were also asked to develop mitigation measures so that learning in these institutions is not disrupted.

“Some people displaced from their homes due to the devastating effects of the rains have sought refuge in schools. Such schools may not be able to continue with their regular academic activities,” the CS stated. 

To ensure the safety of students, the Boards of Management (BOMs), headteachers, and principals were directed not to host students, and staff in life-threatening buildings.

The CS stated that reports indicated that the ongoing rains have caused flooding in some institutions, thus causing damage to infrastructure, and sanitation facilities and the destruction of learning and teaching materials. 

President William Ruto visits Ngeya Girls Secondary School in Mai Mahiu, Nakuru County, where he consoled families affected by the flash floods on April 30, 2024. (Photo: PCS)

He pointed at sanitation facilities, that were either submerged or collapsed, posing a health risk due to contamination of water sources. Machogu stated that this could lead to an outbreak of waterborne diseases.

Neighbouring schools were asked to share resources and use multi-grade and multi-shift models of providing education where possible. 

Alternatively, they can continue learning in the most severely affected institutions, but assess the situation. 

If the situation worsens, the BOMs were advised to keep the schools closed temporarily. 

Prior to taking such drastic action, all BOMs were directed to convene meetings and submit status reports to the ministry, comprising any damages incurred due to the adverse conditions and mitigation measures to ensure conducive learning environments. BOMs will submit the reports by May 8, 2024, two days after schools reopen.

County Education Boards (CEBs) will forward the detailed assessment reports to the ministry by May 10, 2024.  The Regional Directors of Education will also continually provide updates in their areas of jurisdiction on the status of learning institutions, including how the schools will be reopened safely, and data on absent learners due to the inaccessibility of the transportation system.

Additionally, they will share the number of students who are absent due to floods damaging their homes and parents' livelihoods. 

Other details include the number of learners whose families are internally displaced (IDPs) and Regional Directors of Education (RDES), County Directors of Education and Subcounty Directors of Education coordinating the reopening of schools while guided by the weather forecast issued by the Kenya Meteorological Department.