Government extends 2nd term due to Opening flood delays

 

The government will extend the second term  of schools to  make up for  time lost due to  flooding due to heavy rains. 

 Speaking  at an inspection  in Nairobi  on Thursday (May 9) in preparation for  the reopening of schools, Education  Minister Ezekiel Machogu said the extension would  enable boys and girls, especially those  taking national  exams, to read textbooks. Eleven months. 

Although the extension  decision has not been made yet, Majogu assured that  steps will be taken to minimize  the disruption to the academic calendar. 

  He  said the national  integration review would be carried out as  planned. "The examination  schedule will not change; KCSE and KPSEA will  enter the normal  schedule from  November," Machogu  reiterated. 

Majogu also  highlighted the importance of supporting Form  4 candidates as schools are scheduled to close  for  the three-week  holiday in August.  

"We will see how we can  make up for the lost time  by  postponing the two terms by a few  days, especially for  Form 4 candidates. Schools should be closed for weeks in August  for us, and we  will try to reduce the number of  student school days  closed," Ma Qiaogu said. 

 The CS  confirmed that  some areas, especially seven  districts including Tana River, Homa  Bay and Kisumu, may  face difficulties in reopening schools on Monday due to  severe flooding. Majogu said the  ministry was also exploring  other education options, including  transferring students to safer  locations to ensure continuity  of education. 

  "We know from  experts  that we  will not receive as much  rainfall as  before. On the contrary, things have  improved across the  country. 

 Schools  open for  the second term 

 CS Machogu announced that all schools  will reopen  for the second term on Monday, May 13,  2024. Addressing the nation  at State House  in Nairobi after meeting  Kajiado and  Laikipia leaders, President William Ruto assured that  flooded schools  would be repaired before resuming classes. 

  "All parents are advised  to monitor the  weather forecast and the  Kenyan government's assessment that Kenya  is now  safe and we  are appropriately prepared.

 "We have asked members of  Parliament and  have  been prepared by the National Government  Constituency Development Fund  (NGF). Schools had previously decided to  delay reopening  due to  safety concerns across the country.  In his last State of the Nation Address on May 3, 2024,  Ruto asked the Ministry of Education to  postpone the reopening for  the second time. 

  The reopening, originally scheduled for April 29,  was  initially postponed to May 6 before the  president postponed it. 

  Ruto  called on MPs to  transfer CDF funds  and prioritize the rehabilitation of flood-damaged school buildings. 

 "Members of Congress have been asked to revise CDF allocations to prioritize the reconstruction of  flood-damaged school  buildings. 

As the  national government has fulfilled its  duty, I call on the local government, development partners and the private sector to respond to the current  situation," Ruto  said in a statement on Friday.  "We will work together," he said.