Amidst the persistent heavy rains and flooding across various regions of the country, Regional Directors of Education have been mandated to provide essential data on the weather’s effects.
Directed by a circular from the Director General, Dr. Elyas Abdi, these officials are tasked with collaborating with school boards of management and other stakeholders to ensure the smooth reopening of basic institutions for the second term of the school calendar, slated for April 29, 2024.
Highlighting the challenges posed by adverse weather conditions, Dr. Abdi stressed the importance of collecting data to gauge the preparedness of basic education institutions for the upcoming term.
This data will be pivotal in planning and will be shared with emergency cluster working groups to facilitate coordinated responses.
Despite concerns over the impact of heavy rains on school operations, Dr. Belio Kipsang, Principal Secretary for Basic Education, affirmed that schools would reopen as scheduled.
Addressing stakeholders during a symposium on Competency-Based Assessment (CBA), Kipsang reassured them that a multi-agency team had been mobilized to address the effects of the inclement weather.
However, the situation remains precarious as the Kenya Meteorological Department warns of continued heavy rains in several parts of the country, including Nairobi, Kisumu, and Narok counties.
With the looming threat of further flooding, concerns are growing about the safety and continuity of education for students.
Particularly worrisome is the fate of students who have lost educational materials due to flooding.
With textbooks, exercise books, and other essentials swept away in affected areas, uncertainty looms over how these students will resume their studies.
Furthermore, some schools are currently serving as shelters for individuals displaced by the floods, posing logistical challenges and raising questions about the continuity of education for both displaced individuals and the regular student body.
In response to these challenges, the National Parents Association (NPA) has called for additional measures to safeguard students’ safety.
NPA National Chairperson, David Silas Obuhatsa, emphasized the importance of conducting thorough assessments of school infrastructure and urged proactive measures to prevent accidents and ensure the well-being of learners.
Concerns have also been raised about the safety of school routes, particularly in regions with inadequate infrastructure. Urgent action is needed to address hazardous conditions and protect the lives of students who traverse dangerous routes daily.
As the government endeavors to mitigate the impact of heavy rains and flooding on education, collaboration between stakeholders is crucial to ensure the safety and well-being of students as schools prepare to reopen.
