Education Ministry mulls extending second term to cover lost time

Learners should brace for a longer second term following the delayed reopening of schools countrywide.

The Ministry of Education Cabinet Secretary Ezekiel Machogu says the adjustment will affect the closing dates to cover the time lost. The changes to be announced later will not affect forthcoming national examinations.

Speaking Thursday after touring several schools in Nairobi to assess the extent of damage to infrastructure ahead of the reopening of schools on Monday, the CS said that 95pc of the schools were ready to reopen.

However, a few select schools adversely affected by the heavy rains and floods will resume later.

He said the situation was under control noting that Regional Directors of Education have been providing regular updates on the status of the learning institutions across the 47 counties.

The second term was extended by two weeks to May 13 due to heavy rains.

Over 2000 schools had their infrastructure destroyed by the floods that have killed over 200 people and displaced thousands some of whom have sought refuge in learning institutions.

Field education officers working in areas where schools are hosting displaced persons have been working closely with local administrators to identify alternative accommodations for the affected persons.

The term was to run from April 29 to August 2, with a half-term break from June 20–23 and a three-week holiday from August 5–25.