The government has announced the postponement of the reopening of schools to Monday, May 6, 2024.
This decision comes in light of adverse effects caused by ongoing floods in some school areas.
Education Cabinet Secretary Ezekiel Machogu emphasized that sending students and staff to affected schools would endanger their lives.
He stated, “The devastating effects of the rains in some of the schools are so severe that it will be imprudent to risk the lives of learners and staff before water-tight measures are put in place to ensure adequate safety of all affected school communities.”
Originally, schools were scheduled to reopen on April 29, but the Ministry of Education has resolved to postpone the reopening by one week to allow for the implementation of safety measures.
Machogu assured that the Ministry would collaborate with relevant agencies and stakeholders to mitigate the adverse effects of the rains.
The decision to postpone the reopening follows a proposal by the National Parents Association to change the opening dates for schools in affected areas.
The Meteorological department has also warned of heavier rains in the coming days, with over 90 people reported dead and scores of others injured or missing.
Secretary General Eskimos Kobia of the National Parents Association highlighted that many schools across the country had been affected by the rains and flooding.
He urged the government to audit the number of affected schools and consider changing the opening dates for the safety of students and teachers.
Kobia emphasized the need for ensuring the safety of students during their travel from home to school, especially with major roads being cut off in rural areas.
He noted that an initial assessment by the association had revealed that many affected families had lost school uniforms and learning materials.
Here’s a revised version of the news piece:
Government Delays School Reopening to May 6
The government has decided to postpone the reopening of schools until Monday, May 6, 2024. This decision was made due to the severe impact of ongoing floods in some school areas.
Education Cabinet Secretary Ezekiel Machogu stated that sending students and staff to these affected schools would endanger their lives.
He explained, “The devastation caused by the rains in some schools is so severe that it would be unwise to risk the lives of students and staff without first implementing stringent safety measures.”
Initially scheduled for April 29, the reopening has been delayed by one week to allow for the implementation of necessary safety measures.
Machogu assured that the Ministry of Education would work closely with relevant agencies and stakeholders to address the challenges caused by the floods.
The decision to postpone the reopening follows a proposal by the National Parents Association to change the opening dates for schools in affected areas.
The Meteorological Department has also warned of heavier rains in the coming days, with more than 90 people reported dead and many others injured or missing.
Eskimos Kobia, the Secretary General of the National Parents Association, highlighted that numerous schools across the country had been affected by the rains and flooding.
He urged the government to assess the number of affected schools and consider changing the opening dates to ensure the safety of students and teachers.
Kobia emphasized the importance of ensuring students’ safety during their commute to school, particularly with major roads being blocked in rural areas.
He also noted that an initial assessment by the association revealed that many affected families had lost school uniforms and learning materials.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about the Postponement of School Reopening
Q: Why has the government decided to postpone the reopening of schools?
A: The government has decided to postpone the reopening of schools due to the severe impact of ongoing floods in some school areas. Sending students and staff to these affected schools would pose a risk to their lives.
Q: When will schools reopen?
A: Schools will now reopen on Monday, May 6, 2024.
The reopening has been delayed by one week to allow for the implementation of necessary safety measures.
Q: What measures will be put in place to ensure the safety of students and staff?
A: The Ministry of Education will work closely with relevant agencies and stakeholders to implement stringent safety measures in affected schools.
These measures will be aimed at ensuring the safety of students and staff.
Q: How many schools have been affected by the floods?
A: Many schools across the country have been affected by the rains and flooding.
The government is currently assessing the number of affected schools to determine the extent of the impact.
Q: Will there be any changes to the school calendar?
A: At this time, there are no plans to make changes to the school calendar.
However, the government will continue to monitor the situation and make any necessary adjustments as needed.
Q: What should parents and students do in the meantime?
A: Parents and students are advised to stay updated on the situation through official channels. They should also take necessary precautions to ensure their safety during this period.
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