City Schools Remain Closed Amid Protest Fears.
Many schools in Nairobi closed on Tuesday as parents kept their children home due to fears of anti-government protests turning violent. While some schools preemptively informed parents of closures, others left the decision up to the families. The usual busy roads saw significantly reduced traffic. Classes had just resumed on Monday, July 1, 2024, following a mid-term break the previous week.
One school communicated to parents, “Due to the planned demonstrations on Tuesday, July 2, 2024, there will be no school as a precaution. We shall resume classes on Wednesday, July 3, 2024. The children have been given extra work to do under supervision.”
Another message from a school in Rongai stated, “We are planning to have physical classes on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, then use the online platform on Tuesday and Thursday to cover more subjects. We would not want the children in harm’s way.”
Learners did not show up at Moi Avenue Primary School, located within the Nairobi Central Business District, although teachers reported for duty. However, they later left as tension rose, with police clashing with protesters and using tear gas.
Parental Concerns
Chris Were, a parent at Moi Avenue Primary School, shared, “We weren’t asked to take children to school, but I couldn’t have allowed my children to come under such circumstances. Last week, police officers were throwing tear gas canisters even inside the school compound.”
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Jamhuri High School, situated in the Ngara area, has not reopened since the mid-term break began last Wednesday. A school worker indicated that classes are expected to resume tomorrow (Wednesday).
At St Brigid’s Public Primary School along General Waruingi Road in Pumwani, only 10 out of 250 learners attended in the morning. They were sent home at 10 a.m., and teachers were also allowed to leave.
“We didn’t tell the learners not to come. It’s the parents’ decision, which is good because we don’t have the power to protect them if their safety is compromised. We can’t punish learners for absenteeism under such circumstances,” a teacher at St Brigid’s explained.
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Another teacher added, “The demonstrations are now affecting learning because even yesterday, only 50 learners turned up. We still don’t know what will happen tomorrow or on Thursday and next week.”
Widespread Impact
There were no students at the nearby Dr. Aggrey Primary School and Muslim Primary School. At 11:45 a.m., some parents at Muthaiga Primary School were found withdrawing their children due to fears that riots in the Mathare neighborhood could spill over. Traffic on the usually busy Thika Road was notably light.
Despite the widespread closures, some schools like City Primary School in Ngara and Ainsworth Primary School along Muratina Street in Eastleigh continued their classes.
City Schools Remain Closed Amid Protest Fears.
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