Education CS Ezekiel Machogu releases the 2023 KCSE examination results at Moi Girls High School, Eldoret, on January 8, 2023. PHOTO | COURTESY

The Government of Kenya, through the Ministry of Education has made changes to school opening dates.

Learners, who were expected to begin reporting to school on Monday, April 29, will now be expected to report as from May 6, 2024.

The one week extension of school holidays is a result of the heavy rains witnessed in the country, which has led to floods on major roads.

While announcing the postponement, Education Cabinet Secretary Ezekiel Machogu said the ministry directed field officers to submit data from all Basic Education Learning Institutions countrywide, where adverse effects of the heavy rains were reported.

“Reports received at the Ministry of Education, corroborated with data from other relevant Government agencies, show that a number of schools in various regions of the country have been adversely affected by the rains,” Machogu said.

“The devastating effects of the rains in some of the schools is so severe that it will be imprudent to risk the lives of learners and staff before water-tight measures are put in place to ensure adequate safety of all affected school communities,” added the CS.

The floods have not only hindered transport in various areas, but also killed more than 70 people. Homes have been submerged in water, forcing displaced families to seek shelter in schools and other public institutions.

By Fred Azelwa Odanga.