PS Kipsang says schools will open next week despite heavy rains
By Hanifa Adan |
PS Kipsang detailed that the Ministry of Education is actively preparing for the reopening.
Education Principal Secretary Belio Kipsang announced on Thursday that schools will reopen for the second term next week despite the ongoing heavy rains and floods witnessed nationwide.
Kipsang detailed that the Ministry of Education is actively preparing for the reopening.
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"As you are aware, all basic education institutions are expected to open for the second term of the school calendar on April 29, 2024," the ministry stated in a circular to all Regional Directors of Education across the country.
The PS, while addressing the Kenya National Examinations Council's (Knec) inaugural annual symposium on Competency-Based Assessment (CBA) in Nairobi on Thursday, added that the government had put in place a multi-agency team to deal with the effects of the heavy rains.
"I know this year we have been blessed with quite some rain and I know yesterday the President (William Ruto) directed a multi-agency team to be able to deal with the challenges that have come with the rains. I can assure all of us that, as already directed by the President, we are all prepared and looking forward to our children going to school next week," Kipsang said.
To aid the plan for reopening, the Director General of the Ministry, Elyas Abdi, circulated a memo to regional education directors, mandating the collection and submission of data regarding the rain and flood impacts.
Kiambiu youth construct a makeshift bridge in April 2024 after the floods swept away a footbridge. (Photo: Justine Ondieki)
"You are to coordinate the submission of the data/information from your region using the attached template," the circular read in part.
The decision to reopen schools next week for the second term has been met with scepticism and concern amid the ongoing heavy rains and flooding affecting the country.
Critics of the decision point to the widespread displacement of families, the destruction of essential items like school uniforms and books, and the financial strain on parents unable to afford school fees.
Numerous educational facilities have been severely damaged, with some alternatively serving as emergency shelters for families displaced by devastating floods.
The National Disaster Operations Centre (NDOC), housed within the Interior Ministry, intensified its coordination efforts to address the challenges posed by adverse weather conditions following a directive from President William Ruto.
The National Police Service (NPS) started leading search and rescue operations, both on land and in the air, while the Kenya Red Cross supported ground activities. The Kenya Coast Guard Service (KCGS) also commenced operations in various areas.
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