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Education Ministry orders impact assessment of long rains ahead of new school term

The Kenya Red Cross Action Team during a rescue operation in Mradi, Mathare 4A, Nairobi on April 24, 2024. (Photo: Kenya Red Cross)

By Lucy Mumbi | 25 Apr 2024

Regional directors must oversee data collection from their respective areas and submit their findings to the ministry by April 26, 2024, via the ministry’s email.

In response to the heavy rains and flooding affecting various parts of the country, the Ministry of Education has issued a directive for all regional directors of education to assess the impact on Basic Education Institutions.

The assessment is crucial as schools are scheduled to reopen for the second term on April 29, 2024.

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In a circular dated April 25, 2024, Director General of Education Elyas Abdi said the directive is aimed at collecting data/information to establish the readiness of reopening schools.

He said the data on the effects of the rains and flooding will be crucial for planning and for sharing with the Education in Emergencies cluster working group.

“As you are aware, all Basic Education Institutions are expected to open for the second term of the school calendar on April 29, 2024. However, several parts of the country are experiencing heavy rains and flooding. As a result, there is a need to establish the effects of the long rains on Basic Education Institutions in the country,” he said.

Regional directors must oversee data collection from their respective areas and submit their findings to the ministry by April 26, 2024, via the ministry’s email.

“The data/information should be emailed to dg@education.go.ke by Friday, April 26, 2024,” he said.

Additionally, they should collaborate with Boards of Management and other stakeholders to ensure that all basic education institutions are ready to operate for the upcoming term.

The instructions come amid heavy rains pounding across the country which have caused flooding and resulted in the loss of lives, livestock, acres of cropland, and the destruction of small businesses.

The rains have also damaged schools, water sources, and major roads including the Thika Superhighway.

On Wednesday, Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja said over five schools in Nairobi have already been affected following the devastating rains.

He called for an immediate evacuation of city residents residing in flood-vulnerable areas urging them that measures are being implemented to mitigate future risks and ensure the safety and well-being of all Nairobi residents.

As of April 24, 2024, the Kenya Red Cross recorded 45 deaths and over 188 rescued since the beginning of the March-May rains, with 30,906 acres of cropland submerged, 5,407 livestock lost, and 23 counties affected.

26,269 households are impacted, with 13,368 displaced, affecting 26 schools and 280 businesses.