Government on high alert ahead of new school term

In the wake of unprecedented heavy rains sweeping across Kenya, the Ministry of Education is taking decisive steps to ensure the safety and readiness of schools for the upcoming term commencing on April 29.

With numerous regions grappling with the aftermath of severe flooding, the decision to reopen schools hangs in the balance, pending a thorough assessment of the damage inflicted by the relentless downpour.

The Ministry of Education has issued a directive to all regional directors of education, tasking them with assessing the impact of the ongoing heavy rains on public institutions across the nation ahead of the reopening of schools.

In a letter addressed to the officials on Thursday, April 25, the Ministry highlighted the importance of understanding the effects of the heavy rains on basic education institutions ahead of the upcoming second term of the school calendar.

Basic Education Principal Secretary, Belio Kipsang, meanwhile on Thursday said the government has put in place a multi-agency team to deal with effects of the heavy rains. This comes after the Kenya Meteorological Department on Tuesday issued a heavy rain advisory in which they indicated that the rains will continue over the next seven days.

Heavy rains have occasioned flash floods across the country and region, causing damage to property and loss of lives. Beyond this, core infrastructure such as roads, have also been badly damaged and will impact reopening of schools as the transport sector will be affected. All eyes are on the government to give guidance on what happens next.