Schools To Defy Ruto’s Directive of Reopening Schools

Schools To Defy Ruto’s Directive of Reopening Schools.

Next week, floods may prevent thousands of students from returning to school as many institutions have been damaged, with classrooms submerged and toilets washed away. Families displaced by the floods have sought refuge in classrooms and school compounds, exacerbating the situation, and parents are worried about their children falling behind academically.

Education Cabinet Secretary Ezekiel Machogu announced on Thursday that due to heavy rains in certain regions, schools in several parts of the country might not reopen. Affected areas include Tana River, Homa Bay, and Kisumu counties, where schools will remain closed, and alternative learning methods will be explored.

In Nyanza alone, approximately 40 schools in Kisumu, Migori, and Homa Bay are either underwater or serving as shelters for displaced families. For example, Oseth Primary School in Nyando is completely submerged and accessible only by boat, while Ombaka Primary School is also housing displaced families.

Also Read: CS Machogu Lists Schools that Will not Be Opened

At Oseth Primary School, overcrowding is a concern, with 37 women and their children sharing limited classroom space. Kisumu’s director of education, Rosemary Birenge, confirmed that Nyando and Kadibo sub-counties are heavily affected, mentioning schools like Ahero Girls, Kolunga, Kowala, and Oseth Primary as severely impacted.

The chances of Ahero Girls reopening next week are slim due to partial submersion and contaminated drinking water. In Migori, around 10 schools face similar challenges, remaining inaccessible and underwater.

Schools To Defy Ruto’s Directive of Reopening Schools

However, Machogu reported that 95 per cent of schools in the country are ready for students to resume learning.