Private schools refuse to reopen in accordance with a ministerial instruction.
Due to the persistently heavy rainfall, private schools have requested that pupils return for class.
This choice has caused criticism and prompted worries about kids’ safety in light of the severe weather that has cost almost 170 lives.
A school that follows this pattern is Rockfield Senior School in Pipeline, Nairobi, which instructed applicants taking the KCSE this year to return to class on Thursday, May 2, the day following the Labor Day holiday.
“Our beloved applicants, who are under time constraint to finish the syllabus, must report on May 2nd, beginning at 10:00 a.m. For anyone who would like to use one, the school will supply a bus,” the letter says.
The school has directed pupils in Forms One, Two, and Three, the lower classes, to return on Sunday, May 5, one day ahead of the rescheduled opening date.
An spokesperson from the school acknowledged to The Standard that they had implemented safety precautions and that kids will report back on Thursday.
The official, who wished to remain unnamed, stated, “We have to pick up and drop off points to ensure the learners get to school safely and return home safe as well.”
In a text message to parents, Shepherds Junior School in Nairobi confirmed that its resumption dates—April 29 for day students and April 30 for boarding students—remained unaltered.
The school defended its capacity to maintain a consistent learning environment in spite of government cautions by pointing to its autonomy as a private institution.
“As a private school, we are allowed to reopen in order to provide your kid with a constant learning environment. We didn’t modify our plans in accordance with the government’s schedule,” the phone message obtained by The Standard states.
The school goes on to say that because of the continuous rain, it will take precautions.
Parents received a message on Monday morning that said, “We’ll take all necessary precautions and keep you informed daily, even though the forecast for the next 10 days shows ongoing rain.”
This is despite the Meteorological Department’s Tuesday warning that the weeklong heavy rains are predicted to remain, prompting questions about necessary safety precautions.
Charles Ochome, the chairman of the Kenya Private Schools Association, issued a warning Monday, saying that schools which disobey the ministry decision “are on their own.”
“The CS gave a clear order. Schools ought to stay closed, but if any have reopened, they ought to be aware that there could be issues if something went wrong, according to Ochome.
Private schools refuse to reopen in accordance with a ministerial instruction.
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