Retain learners who had already reported to school – PS Belio

The Ministry of Education has issued an update on the postponement of reopening date for Second Term and asked schools where learners had already reported to retain them within the institutions.

Basic Education Principal Secretary Belio Kipsang said in a circular to County Directors of Education that schools bear full responsibility of the safety of learners who had already reported before news of the postponement was dispatched.

“Such learners should be retained within the school premises and not exposed to the dangers of travelling back home under the current adverse weather conditions,” Kipsang directed.

Schools were scheduled to reopen on Monday, April 29, for Second Term but the ministry pushed the reopening date to May 6.

Communication on the postponement was relayed around midnight when some leaners had already left home. 

Some learners were stranded Monday morning in towns miles away from home as they pondered their next move.

“Any learner who has not travelled to school should remain at home,” Kipsang said.

He said the postponement was necessary after an audit indicated that many schools had been significantly impacted by the ongoing heavy rains.

"The destructive consequences of these rains in some of the affected schools are of significant magitude. Further, the transport systems have also been significantly affected and might not be safe for students to travel," PS Kipsang pointed out.

He said pending reopening of schools on May 6, the ministry will collaborate with relevant agencies and stakeholders to implement  measures aimed at mitigating adverse effects of the rains.

In the meantime, the PS directed the County Directors of Education to ensure they relay all the subsequent updates to parents and gaurdians to ensure they remain informed about measures being taken to safeguard their children.

He also asked the education bosses to ensure with the postponment of the reopening of schools, food that had already been purchased is stored safely to minimise losses during the rainy season.

Kipsang said it's also paramount that schools put in place sufficient security measures to protect school property during the postponment period.

"This is is to prevent any potential loss or damage that could occur due to the heavy rains or other related incidents."

The PS further asked schools to provide daily updates on their status of preparedness for reopening and the actions taken to mitigate against flooding.

"These updates are cruicial for the ministry to monitor the situation and provide assistance where necessary," he said.