Private Schools Reopen Despite Heavy Rainfall. Despite the persistently heavy rainfall, private schools have requested that pupils return to 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 learners taking the KCSE this year to return to class on Thursday, May 2, the day after the Labor Day holiday.
“Our beloved candidates , 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.
In an interview with educationboard.co.ke, a school representative stated that kids will return on Thursday and that safety precautions have been taken.
Private Schools Reopen Despite Heavy Rainfall
The official, who wished to remain unnamed, stated, “We have to pick up and drop off locations to ensure the learners arrive to school safely and return home securely 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 schedule in accordance with the government’s plan,” the phone message that educationboard.co.ke was able to view says.
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.