West Pokot: Kind Teachers Accommodate Students Who Travelled To School From Distant Areas

• The government postponed the school reopening date by one week due to continuing rains and floods
• Some students had already travelled to school before the government announced the change in school re-opening dates
• Chewoyet National School students in West Pokot were not spared from the dilemma, as a section of them had already reported back

The government issued a directive at night on Monday, April 29, announcing the postponement of school re-opening dates.

Most parents who rely on traditional media for news were left oblivious to the new updates and sent their children to school on Monday, as initially directed by the government.

This caused chaos as some students were seen reporting to their respective schools while others were left stranded at bus termini contemplating their next move.

Chewoyet National School students in West Pokot were not spared from the dilemma, as a section of students reported back to school despite government directives.

Speaking to Nation on Monday, April 29, Chewoyet Senior Principal Stephen Akuto stated that around 35 students had already reported to school on Sunday, April 28, before the previous opening dates, only to wake up to the government's announcement.

The principal added that the teachers had to accommodate students who had traveled from far away to keep them from incurring extra costs.

"The notice was too short, and it has already inconvenienced most of the parents. Those students that come from within we asked them to go back while those that come from far we are accommodating them in teachers' quarters."

Why was the school re-opening date postponed?

The government postponed the school reopening date by one week due to continuing rains and floods, which have resulted in fatalities and extensive property damage amounting to millions of dollars.

According to a statement issued by the Ministry of Education on Sunday night, April 28, Cabinet Secretary Ezekiel Machogu announced that the decision was made following reports from field officers indicating widespread flood-related impacts on many schools.

Machogu emphasized that the impacted schools could endanger the lives of students, and the government was unwilling to accept such risks.

What else you need to know about school reopening postponement

• Confusion was seen on April 29 as students were seen reporting to school despite the changes made in school reporting dates.
• Nairobi governor Sakaja Johnson paid bus fare for students who were left stranded.
• Limuru residents stormed a school with bowls and basins to carry food after the postponement of the opening date.

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