• The CS issued the order on Monday and directed schools to send learners home by noon on Tuesday.
• Most public schools are traditionally used as polling and tallying centres every election year.
Image: CHARLENE MALWA
Education Cabinet Secretary George Magoha has apologised over the abrupt closure of schools.
The CS issued the order on Monday and directed schools to send learners home by noon on Tuesday.
Magoha said studies would resume on August 11 after the August 9 general elections.
The closure caught parents, guardians and school management unawares.
"I know that people are very unhappy that the schools were closed abruptly. Let me apologise on behalf of the government," Magoha said.
The CS, however, defended the decision to close the schools saying the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission had to be given what it requires to prepare for the elections.
Most public schools are traditionally used as polling and tallying centres every election year.
"So, the small pain that I have caused you, I take full responsibility because I'm the one who was supposed to say it," Magoha said.
While issuing the directive, the CS said the decision was arrived at after consultations.
The decision was, however, quickly criticised by parents and the Kenya Union of Post Primary Education Teachers, Kuppet.
Secretary general Akello Misori said they were never consulted and added that the directive for schools to resume two days after elections was misplaced.
"This is outright impractical, since the elections will take nearly a week to conclude. Moreover, parents need reasonable time to assess whether their children can travel and settle in schools safely," Misori said.
He termed the decision "hasty" and said schools should have been directed to resume on August 15, 2022.
The closure of schools happened when some schools were holding their midterm exams.
Parents also complained that they were unprepared to receive their children back home, barely two weeks after schools reopened for second term.
"I thinks the shades you have sent on me are now enough," Magoha said after issuing the apology.
He spoke after CBC preparedness inspection tour in Uasin Gishu County.
Magoha said he did not want the IEBC to later say that it was not given sufficient time to prepare for the elections.
"So as I take full responsibility, please try and understand that I love the children and I would be the last person to put their life or anything at risk," he affirmed.