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Education Secretary Ezekiel Machogu has revealed that the government intends to prolong the second term to compensate for the delay in reopening caused by flooding.
Originally scheduled to commence on April 29, the reopening was postponed due to severe rainfall and ensuing floods, which have claimed the lives of more than 257 people.
In an address earlier this week, President William Ruto announced that students would return to school on Monday, May 13, following weather forecasts indicating a decrease in rainfall from the upcoming weekend.
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Machogu stated on Thursday that the duration of the second term would be prolonged by an as-yet undetermined period to enable schools to cover the curriculum in preparation for this year’s national examinations in November.
He specifically mentioned considerations for Form Four students, suggesting that the extension might offset lost time, potentially reducing the length of their scheduled closure in August.
However, Machogu clarified that despite the adjustments to the academic calendar, the Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) and Kenya Primary School Education Assessment (KPSEA) examinations would proceed as planned in November.
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Addressing concerns regarding safety during the reopening, Machogu assured that the government had conducted assessments and deemed the situation “manageable.”
He highlighted that expert forecasts indicate a decrease in rainfall, with conditions improving across the country.
Machogu also noted that certain schools in seven counties, including Tana River, Homa Bay, and Kisumu, might not reopen on Monday. The ministry is considering alternative learning arrangements, such as relocating students to safer facilities.
President Ruto recently allocated Ksh.1 billion for the reconstruction of schools affected by floods. His announcement followed a forecast by the Meteorological Department indicating a likely reduction in rainfall intensity later in the week.
