The Education Ministry, led by Cabinet Secretary Ezekiel Machogu, is ensuring that individuals who lost their academic certificates in floods receive replacements.
Additionally, the Ministry plans to train teachers and students on emergency evacuation protocols and first aid procedures to enhance preparedness for future emergencies.
During the national tree planting event in Trans Nzoia County, CS Machogu emphasized the importance of adhering to specified fees and urged school heads not to demand more from parents than the Ministry’s guidelines dictate.
Regarding disciplinary actions, Machogu warned against violating Ministry rules and instructed the Teachers Service Commission and county education directors to adhere to directives.
He declared that those hindering Kenyan children’s education are hindering progress and threatened dismissal for those who defy orders. County education heads were given one week to provide reports on schools that disobeyed mandates.
The Ministry clarified parental fee obligations, stating that national and extra-county schools require a fee of Sh53,000, county schools Sh45,000, and day schools may only charge for lunch programs, agreed upon with parents. Machogu stressed that lack of fees should not result in sending students home.
The extension of the April break by two weeks was justified by prioritizing life over academic schedules.
Teachers are tasked with ensuring the safety of approximately 3.5 million students and promptly responding to emergencies. The Ministry introduced a plan to foster collaboration between parents and teachers as schools resume.
Teachers will serve as first responders, providing emotional support to students, especially those affected by recent heavy rains. They are also responsible for monitoring student attendance and providing feedback to regional directors.
Head teachers must ensure lost instructional time is recovered through planned courses, as no term extensions will be permitted.