CS Ezekiel Machogu Says Schools In 7 Counties Might Not Open As Scheduled

• On Wednesday, May 8, President William Ruto announced that schools would reopen for the second term on Monday, May 13
• However, Education Cabinet Secretary Ezekiel Machogu says not all schools will reopen as scheduled
• According to the CS, some schools in seven counties including Kisumu and Tana River will not reopen alongside others

Amos Khaemba, a journalist at TUKO.co.ke, brings over three years of experience covering politics and current affairs in Kenya.

Nairobi - Education Cabinet Secretary Ezekiel Machogu has said most schools are ready for reopening on Monday, May 13.

Speaking while assessing Karen C Secondary School in Nairobi on Thursday, May 9, Machogu said 95% of the schools are ready to receive learners for the second term.

Which counties are affected most by floods?

Machogu said experts have assured the government that not much rain is expected in the country.

“What we are getting from the experts is that we won’t have as much rain as we have had before. If anything, the situation is only improving all over the country,” Machogu said.

However, Machogu disclosed that schools in seven counties may not be opened following heavy rains witnessed in those regions.

According to the CS, Tana River, Homa Bay, and Kisumu counties are some areas where schools may not be opened alongside others.

The CS said learners within the regions will be considered for alternative learning methods, such as relocating learners to safer centres.

Will the school calendar change?

In related news, the Education CS made new announcements about the second term school calendar.

The CS stated that the Ministry of Education would be reducing the duration of the August holiday to create enough time to complete the syllabus.

However, Machogu stated that the Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) and Kenya Primary School Education Assessment (KPSEA) examinations will not be postponed.

What you need to know about floods

• On May 3, the president indefinitely suspended the reopening of the schools across the country as a precaution against the flooding disaster.
• Ruto's announcement came hours after Education Cabinet Secretary Ezekiel Machogu issued new guidelines for school reopening that was set for Monday, May 6.
• Nairobi governor Johnson Sakaja visited the Nairobi central business district (CBD), where he covered the transportation costs for stranded students.

Proofreading by Nyambura Guthua, journalist and copy editor at TUKO.co.ke