By Patricia Mollyne Mataga
Public primary and secondary schools will not be opening this week for the second term, the Ministry of Education has announced.
The schools were set to reopen starting tofisg, Monday, April 29, 2024.
Some learners had already started travelling to schools from as early as Sunday.
However, there has been concerns from a section of stakeholders in the education sector over the safety of learners following the ongoing heavy rains.
Some of the stakeholders had petitioned the government to move forward the opening date.
The Ministry finally agreed with the stakeholders and announced moving forward opening date for at least week.
Education Cabinet Secretary Ezekiel Machogu in a statement issued early on Monday said the move is based on assesment done nationally.
“Based on the assessment, the Ministry of Education has resolved to postpone the reopening of all primary and secondary schools by one week, to Monday May 6, 2024,” the CS said.
According to the Ministry of Education, reports of assessment from its field officers show that a number of schools in various regions of the country have been adversely affected by the rains.
“The devastating effects of the rains in some of the schools is so severe that it will be imprudent to risk the lives of learners and staff before watertight measures are put in place to ensure adequate safety of all affected school communities,” CS Machogu said.
Meanwhile, the ministry says it will work with relevant agencies and stakeholders to put in place measures to mitigate the adverse effects of the rains and provide regular updates on all developments as pertains the education sector.
Heavy rains pounding various parts of the country have led to floods that have left homes submerged.
Several roads have also been closed due to overflowing bridges.
As of Sunday afternoon, at least 93 people had been confirmed dead due to the floods.Tens of hundreds have also been displaced.