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The Ministry of Education has officially announced the delay of the anticipated school reopening originally scheduled for April 29, 2024.

In a notice released on Monday, April 29, 2024, Education Cabinet Secretary Ezekiel Machogu elucidated the rationale behind the postponement, citing the prevailing heavy rains across the nation as the primary factor.

Machogu emphasized the Ministry’s proactive approach to assessing the readiness of Basic Education Learning Institutions for the upcoming term.

“The devastating effects of the rains in some of the schools are so severe that it will be imprudent to risk the lives of learners and staff before water-tight measures are put in place to ensure adequate safety for all affected school communities,” Machogu asserted.

The decision to delay the reopening stemmed from reports received from various regions indicating significant disruptions caused by the ongoing rains.

Machogu underlined the severity of the situation, highlighting the potential risks posed to students and staff in flood-affected areas.

“Based on this 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,” Machogu announced.

Additionally, Machogu affirmed the Ministry’s commitment to collaborating with relevant stakeholders to address the challenges posed by the inclement weather.

He said measures will be implemented to mitigate the adverse effects of the rains, and regular updates will be provided to ensure transparency and accountability in the education sector.

“In the meantime, the Ministry 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 pertain to the education sector,” Machogu concluded.