President William Ruto has announced the postponement of the reopening of all public schools until further notice. This abrupt decision comes just hours after Education Cabinet Secretary Ezekiel Machogu had assured the nation that schools would indeed open on Monday, May 6.
Addressing the nation on Friday, May 3, President Ruto cited ongoing severe weather conditions, particularly flooding, across the country as the primary reason for the postponement. “The Ministry of Education is directed to postpone the dates of reopening of all schools in the country for the second term until further notice,” President Ruto stated firmly.
The sudden reversal of plans occurred barely five hours after Education CS Machogu’s insistence on schools reopening, with only those severely affected by floods remaining closed until adequate safety measures were in place. Machogu emphasized the paramount importance of ensuring the safety of learners and urged affected schools to devise strategies to compensate for lost time once operations resume.
Despite concerns raised about students who had already returned to school on April 28, President Ruto assured the nation that the Ministry of Education had received clear directives on how to address this situation.
In his address, President Ruto called upon Members of Parliament to utilize the National Government Constituencies Development Fund (NG-CDF) to repair damaged school infrastructure caused by the floods. “MPs are requested to prioritize the reconstruction of school infrastructure damaged as a result of the floods ravaging the country,” he urged.
The decision to postpone school reopening comes amidst a grim reality of severe weather-related casualties. According to the Interior Ministry, the death toll from the ongoing floods has risen to 210, with 22 fatalities reported in the past 24 hours alone. Additionally, over 165,000 individuals have been displaced from their homes, and 90 others are still missing.
At least 24 schools have been impacted by the floods as of the end of last week, underscoring the extent of the crisis and the challenges faced by the education sector.
President Ruto emphasized that the government will closely monitor the situation and provide further guidance to parents and students in the coming days. With severe weather conditions persisting, the safety and well-being of students remain a top priority for the government.