President Ruto Postpones Reopening of Schools Until Further Notice

President William Ruto has directed the Ministry of Education to postpone the re-opening of schools for the second term indefinitely. 

Speaking on Friday, May 3 during the National Address at State House, Nairobi, the President said the ongoing heavy rains that have wreaked havoc in the country are expected to escalate.

The Head of State ordered the schools to remain closed until ‘further notice’.

“The Ministry of Education is directed to postpone the dates of reopening of all schools in the country for the second term until further notice,” Ruto directed.

The President noted that transportation has become challenging in many parts of the country due to flooded and damaged roads and bridges and the threat of raging rivers and overflowing dams in downstream regions. 

Initially, the schools were set to re-open for the second term on Monday, April 29, 2024. However, Education Cabinet Secretary Ezekiel Machogu postponed the re-opening to Monday, May 6, 2024.

Earlier, the Education CS had spelled out measures to ensure the safety of learners, teachers, and other staff in various learning institutions.

He tasked parents of students especially those in day schools to ensure that their kids report safely to schools due to the effects of floods.

"The prevailing weather conditions pose accessibility challenges due to flash floods, swollen rivers, and landslides thus affecting the transport system for learners to and from school. Parents are, therefore, required to ensure that their children safely report to school on time," Machogu stated.

The Education CS further asked field officers to liaise with various administrative officers to find alternative places for people currently housed at various schools and field officers to develop mitigation measures for schools currently affected by floods.