President Ruto earmarks Sh1 billion for reconstruction of flood-damaged schools

The government has allocated Sh1 billion for reconstructing schools damaged by the ongoing floods across the country. 

Speaking on Monday during a visit to the Kiamaiko area of Mathare in Nairobi, President William Ruto assured that his government will renovate all damaged schools to facilitate the smooth resumption of studies.

“Our students who are still in school... their schools have been destroyed. I want to assure you that the government has set aside Sh1 billion so that we may reconstruct the institutions and ensure that every child in Nairobi, and other parts of the country returns to class when we give a directive to reopen,” he said.

As of May 6, 2024, floods had affected 1,967 schools and claimed 229 lives. Additionally, 174 people have been reported injured, while 75 others are currently missing.

46,937 households had also been displaced, affecting approximately 234,685 people countrywide.

To prevent further loss of lives and destruction of property, President William Ruto ordered the reopening of schools to be postponed indefinitely until the situation is fully assessed. Students were to resume studies on Monday, May 6, one week from the original date, April 29.

In his national address on Friday last week, Ruto attributed the postponement to a warning issued by the Kenya Meteorological Department, indicating that the flash floods would worsen owing to the ongoing rains.

“The Ministry of Education is directed to postpone the dates of reopening of all schools in the country for the second term until further notice,” Ruto ordered. 

Education CS Ezekiel Machogu and other stakeholders are now encouraging students to continue their studies at home during this period before schools reopen. 

“I want to reassure parents that all is well. I am sure the Form 4s are studying while at home. Children should continue studying at home,” Education Cabinet Secretary Ezekiel Machogu said in an interview with Nation.

The academic calendar for this year began with the first term spanning 13 weeks from January 8 to April 5. A midterm break followed from February 29 to March 3, then a three-week holiday from April 6 to 28.

The second term, typically the longest of the three school terms, was initially scheduled to start on April 29 and continue for 14 weeks until August 2. It included a planned mid-term break from June 20 to June 23. However, with the ongoing floods, Education CS Ezekiel Machogu postponed the reopening of schools from April 29 to May 6 before Ruto prolonged the postponement. 

The third term, the shortest, is planned to start on August 26 and last for nine weeks, concluding on October 25. However, if students do not embark on a crash course upon resuming the second term, education experts expect the current delays to affect the third term dates. 

Any further delays in the second term will also impact the national exams, including the Kenya Primary School Education Assessment (KPSEA) and the Kenya Intermediate Level Education Assessment (KILEA), set for October 28 to 31.

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With the phasing out of the 8-4-4 educational system starting this year, there will be no candidates for the Kenya Certificate of Primary Education (KCPE), as the last group of KCPE candidates is currently in Form 1.