After two postponements due to flooding, schools reopened today for the second term amid concerns about the learning environment. Some parents still worry about their children’s safety, while others doubt if learning will occur, especially in schools hosting displaced persons. Additionally, some families are seeking assistance after losing all their belongings, including books and uniforms, to the floods.
Education Cabinet Secretary Ezekiel Machogu assured that safety measures are in place, instructing day schools to provide clear instructions to drivers and assign teachers for supervision during drop-offs and pick-ups. Last week, the CS stated that 95 percent of schools are ready to resume, but the situation in some institutions in seven counties is being investigated to ensure children’s safety.
“So far, the situation is manageable and we can be able to open schools. For the less than five per cent of schools, the President’s pronouncement was that the Government will provide Sh1 billion towards repair of facilities that have been destroyed. We will collaborate with Members of Parliament from respective constituencies that have had facilities destroyed,” said Machogu.
The Ministry instructed adherence to government regulations on school transport, with borders expected to travel between 6 am and 6 pm. Additionally, unconditional admission of learners was emphasized, along with the removal of barriers like uniform and school fees, especially for those affected by floods. In some schools, learners will face fresh challenges such as submerged compounds and sunken toilets, with some learning facilities repurposed as accommodation centers.
At Ruiru Girls’ Secondary in Kiambu, heavy rains caused at least 20 pit latrines to collapse and sink, posing a new obstacle for the majority of the 1,031 students, most of whom are boarders.
The institution, the sole public girls’ boarding school in Ruiru constituency, is appealing for urgent support to rebuild the toilets. Principal Gloria Waithera, speaking during a tree planting event at the school, revealed that only 16 out of the 36 pit toilets have survived. She appealed to the government and well-wishers for assistance since the remaining ones are insufficient for the student population. Area MP Simon King’ara pledged to provide temporary toilets while the NG-CDF prepares to allocate funds for the construction of permanent ones.
examination dates
The institution, the sole public girls’ boarding school in Ruiru constituency, is appealing for urgent support to rebuild the toilets. Principal Gloria Waithera, speaking during a tree planting event at the school, revealed that only 16 out of the 36 pit toilets have survived. She appealed to the government and well-wishers for assistance since the remaining ones are insufficient for the student population. Area MP Simon King’ara pledged to provide temporary toilets while the NG-CDF prepares to allocate funds for the construction of permanent ones.
This came as the CS allayed fears over the examination calendar saying it will remain the same given that there are only two of them this year namely Kenya Primary School Education Assessment (KPSEA) and Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE).
He said the period lost over late school reopening will be recovered.
Education Principal Secretary, Dr Belio Kipsang has affirmed that teachers will adequately cover the syllabus without extending second term, even as he urged head teachers and principals to accommodate learners with fee balances.
Kipsang also assured that the Ministry has laid down adequate strategies to make up for the lost time, adding that the syllabus will be covered in line within the academic year.
“By the time our children are sitting for assessment and examinations at the end of the year, we will have made sure that we have covered the necessary syllabus and content that is expected of us as teachers,” Kipsang said.
He said the Ministry in collaboration with other government agencies, is fixing the damaged facilities at schools, ahead of the reopening.
“As we open schools on Monday, we acknowledge that there are still challenges in a few of our schools in terms of the damage that may have occurred. I give the assurance that we are working together with our MPs through CDF within the shortest time possible to make sure that we bring all facilities to the level that is conducive for learning,” the PS explained.
