The Ministry of Education has urged all school principals to allow students who had reported remain within the premises instead of sending them back home.

In a statement, Education Principal Secretary (PS) Belio Kipsang noted that students who had already reported to the boarding schools should remain put for their safety amid heavy rains.

He added that it would tragic to release them to travel back home under the current adverse weather conditions, acknowledging that most of them travel unaccompanied.

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

PS Kipsang wrote in a circular addressed to all county education directors and copied to Education Cabinet Secretary Ezekiel Machogu and Teachers Service Commission chair Nancy Macharia.

This comes amid confusion in schools where some students had reported or were enroute to school when CS Machogu’s rescheduling of opening dates was announced.

Some school heads immediately sent students back home even as most highways across the country are rendered impassable amid heavy rains wreaking havoc.

Parents on the other hand are a worried lot as some did not know the whereabouts of their children who had departed from home before they received news about school re-opening.

Schools were set to reopen on Monday, April 29 but will instead resume for second term on May 6, 2024.

The PS further instructed principals and headmasters to inform parents of the rescheduled opening dates to avoid further confusion come next week.

Due to the heavy rains, they were also instructed to ensure proper storage of food supplies within the school premises ahead of re-opening.

“Proper storage should be ensured to minimise losses during this period. Enhanced security measures should be put in place to protect school property during the postponement period. This is to prevent any potential loss or damage that may due to the heavy rains or any other incident,” Kipsang added.

Education officers across the country are also expected to provide a detailed assessment of all primary and secondary schools to determine readiness ahead of opening on Monday next week.

Kipsang assured parents that the ministry will provide updates within the week in light of damage caused to a number of schools and status of roads following the heavy rains. This is to ensure safety measures are being rolled out as children resume classes.