Education CS Issues Directives On Resumption of Schools in Flooding Areas

Reopening of Schools in Flooding Regions, Machogu. The Ministry of Education, led by Cabinet Secretary Ezekiel Machogu, has issued a memo urging regional heads to assess the ongoing flooding situation. Directed to regional directors of education, the memo stated that the findings would influence the Ministry’s decision regarding the resumption of schools scheduled for next week.

One of the factors being considered is the damage caused by recent severe rains to schools nationwide. The Ministry is currently collecting data and information to evaluate the readiness of all Basic Education Institutions for the second term of 2024. This data will be crucial for planning and sharing with the Education in Emergencies cluster working group.

Depending on the assessment outcome, the Ministry may postpone the opening date to facilitate necessary repairs. Regional directors have been instructed to oversee the data collection process and submit their findings by Friday, April 26.

According to the latest weather forecast from the Kenya Meteorological Department, heavy rains are expected in various areas until April 29. These areas include the Highlands East and West of the Rift Valley, the Lake Victoria Basin, the Rift Valley, the South-eastern lowlands, the Coast, North-western, and North-eastern Kenya.

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The forecast also warns of flooding in low-lying areas, floodplains, and urban areas with poor drainage, with potential landslides on saturated slopes.

Notable locations at risk include the Highlands West of the Rift Valley, the Lake Victoria Basin, the Rift Valley, northwestern Kenya, and the Highlands East of the Rift Valley (including Nairobi County).

Reopening of Schools in Flooding Regions, Machogu

The severe rainfall has already caused floods affecting over 40,000 people and resulting in at least 32 fatalities. Kenya National Highways Authority (KeNHA) has confirmed the partial closure of several routes, including major highways like Mombasa Road and Thika Road, on Wednesday.