The government will extend the second term for schools to compensate for the time lost due to floods caused by the heavy rains.

Speaking on Thursday, May 9, during an inspection exercise in Nairobi conducted in preparation for schools’ reopening, Education Cabinet Secretary Ezekiel Machogu said the extension would give students time to cover the syllabus especially those sitting for the national examination slated for November.

While the exact duration of the extension remains unspecified, Machogu assured that measures would be taken to minimize disruptions to the academic calendar.

He noted that the national examinations will go on as scheduled.

“The examination calendar remains the same; KCSE and KPSEA will be taken in the normal time from November,” Machogu reiterated

Machogu also noted the importance of supporting Form Four candidates, who were slated to close schools for a three-week break in August.

“Particularly for Form Four candidates, we will see how we can recover time lost by extending [the second term by] a few days. They were expected to close for three weeks in August and we might minimise the number of days schools will be closed,” Machogu stated.

The CS acknowledged that certain regions, notably seven counties including Tana River, Homa Bay, and Kisumu, may encounter difficulties in reopening schools on Monday due to the severity of the floods.

Machogu said the Ministry of Education is exploring alternative learning options, including relocating students to safer centres, to ensure continuity in their education.

“What we are getting from the experts is that we won’t have as much rain as we have had before. If anything, the situation is only improving all over the country,” Machogu added.

Schools reopen for second term

CS Machogu announced that all schools will reopen on Monday, May 13, 2024, for the second term.

President William Ruto, addressing the nation from State House Nairobi after meeting with leaders from Kajiado and Laikipia, assured that schools affected by floods will undergo repairs before resuming classes.

“All parents are advised on the assessment of weathermen and the assessment of the government of Kenya it will now be safe and we have made adequate arrangements, we have asked members of parliament and we have provided resources through the National Government Constituencies Development Fund (NG-CDF) for (the) repairs of classrooms and other learning facilities across Kenya and therefore all schools will be opened on Monday next week,” Ruto said.

This announcement came following a prior decision to postpone the reopening of schools due to the extensive flooding that has afflicted the country.

Ruto, in a recent State of the Nation Address on May 3, 2024, instructed the Ministry of Education to delay the reopening for a second time.

Originally scheduled for April 29, the reopening was first pushed to May 6 before the President further deferred it.

Ruto urged Members of Parliament to reallocate their CDF funds to prioritize the reconstruction of school infrastructure damaged by the floods.

“Members of Parliament are requested to re-organize their CDF allocations to prioritise the reconstruction of school infrastructure that has been damaged as a result of the floods. As the National Government plays its role in dealing with the current situation, I request County Governments, Development Partners and the Private Sector to join the efforts,” Ruto stated on Friday.