Children will have to stay home longer after President William Ruto directed the Ministry of Education to postpone the reopening of schools for the second semester until further notice due to the ongoing flood situation, marking the second delay.
Schools were due to reopen on Monday this week before this was postponed to May 6.
President Ruto: The reopening of schools is postponed until further notice
While explaining the postponement in his address to the nation on Friday, the president said torrential rains and subsequent floods had so far claimed 210 lives. He pointed out that meteorological forecasts indicate increasing intensity of rain.
Dr Ruto's directives contradict A Circular sent by the Ministry of Education Just three hours ago, which issued guidance to parents, education officials and institutions ahead of the reopening scheduled for Monday.
The circular, signed by Education Cabinet Secretary Ezekiel Mashugo, indicated that parents and school management will be responsible for the safety of learners when schools reopen for the second semester.
CS Machugu said the rains had devastating effects on schools, including damaging infrastructure, flooding buildings and sanitation facilities and destroying learning and teaching materials.
President of the National Association of Parents, Silas Obuhatsa, urged caution when reopening schools.
“Before this, parents should visit schools accompanied by boards and heads of institutions to carry out an assessment and ensure that they are safe to open. If, according to their assessment, conditions do not allow for reopening, learners should stay at home until it is safe.