Confusion Across Kenya As Schools Reopening Put Off

Confusion marred school reopening on Monday after hundreds of Primary and Secondary school students trooped to their respective institutions, only to find that the government had postponed the second term opening date.

They were scheduled to reopen on April 29, 2024 but will now open on May 6 after Education Cabinet Secretary Ezekiel Machogu issued the directive late at the night.

But at different bus stages in Mombasa, Kilifi and Kwale counties, students caught unawares by the order were seen heading back home after reporting to school that morning.

A parent, Messaid Omar, whose child studies in Kilifi County, told the that she learnt about the postponement when he had already arrived in school.

'I work and reside in Mombasa and had to drop my child in school very early...only to realise later that the reopening date has been extended by the government. I can't go back to Kilifi because of work, which means I have to send someone to Kilifi to pick my child from school,' said Ms Omar.

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In Taita Taveta County, at Senior Chief Mwangeka Girls High School in Wundanyi, some students had already reported to school by Sunday evening.

School principal Beatrice Mwashi said they had been advised by the Ministry of Education to retain them in school until the official opening day next week, meaning those who have reported will remain in school.

However, it was all quiet at Shimo La Tewa and Mama Ngina Girls High Schools in Mombasa when the visited. Mama Ngina Cief Principal Mwanamisi Omar said the school was to reopen on Tuesday.

'When we got news of the postponement, we informed our parents. School will resume next week,' she said.

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At Shimo La Tewa Boys High School, two students from Kiambu and Kirinyaga had to return home.

A Principal at a boarding school in Kilifi, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said they would not send children back due to hard economic times.

It will be unfair for us to send them back when parents are struggling financially, said the Principal.

Day schools

In day schools, headteachers also sent learners home. For instance, Mbaraki Girls Secondary School opened its doors to students, only to send them back home at around 8am on Monday.

In other schools, for instance Ribe Girls, teachers took to WhatsApp groups to inform parents of the postponement.

However, other primary schools decided to keep pupils for the day since most of them had been dropped by parents who were busy at work.

We've been told to continue with the day's programme as planned until evening. The school will close from tomorrow, a teacher at a private primary school in Mombasa told .

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