Over 1600 Schools Unprepared as Learning Resumes Next Week.
As public schools gear up to reopen following President William Ruto’s directive, a significant crisis looms ahead with over 1,600 schools not ready for learning next week. This comes as a result of various challenges, including flooding, infrastructure damage, and financial hurdles.
Education Cabinet Secretary Ezekiel Machogu has revealed that approximately 5% of schools are not ready for reopening, translating to at least 1,649 schools across the country. These institutions are grappling with submerged facilities, destroyed classrooms, collapsed toilets, and critical infrastructure issues that could pose serious challenges to students.
In a bid to address these challenges, the government has earmarked Sh1 billion from the Constituency Development Fund (CDF) for the repair of damaged infrastructure in affected schools. Additionally, efforts are underway to relocate displaced families currently using seven primary schools and three secondary schools as settlement camps.
Despite these measures, concerns about the safety of day school learners and the disbursement of capitation funds remain. The lack of clear directives on protecting students to and from schools has caused confusion, with schools left to independently assess risks and implement mitigations.
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Regarding capitation funds, Machogu mentioned that flexible payment options would be available for parents, although headteachers expressed frustration over the delayed disbursement. The absence of these funds could hinder schools’ ability to prepare adequately for the influx of learners, impacting operations and learning outcomes.
To address safety concerns during commute, communities and school boards have been urged to recommend mitigation measures, ensuring students’ safety as they travel to and from school. Additionally, the ministry is considering adjustments to the second-term schedule, possibly shortening the August holiday to make up for lost time during extended closures.
While these measures aim to alleviate challenges, the Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) examination calendar remains unchanged, emphasizing the need for efficient planning and resource allocation in the education sector.
In conclusion, the reopening of schools highlights the complex challenges faced by the education system, requiring collaborative efforts between the government, schools, parents, and communities to ensure a safe and conducive learning environment for all students.
Over 1600 Schools Unprepared as Learning Resumes Next Week.
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