CS Machogu Criticised For Late Night Postponement Of School Reopening

Education Cabinet Secretary Ezekiel Machogu has faced criticism in the past few hours following his announcement on Sunday, April 28th, regarding the postponement of school reopening.

CS Machogu is reported to have made the announcement late at night, around 1 a.m., a time that parents and learners find highly inconvenient, as students were reporting the morning of Monday, April 29.

The press statement issued by the Cabinet Secretary stated that the opening of all primary and secondary schools had been postponed to May 6, 2024, citing the effects of ongoing heavy rains.

“The Ministry of Education has resolved to postpone the reopening of all primary and secondary schools by one week, to Monday, May 6, 2024,” the statement read.

Regarding the short notice announcement, the Cabinet Secretary emphasized that the postponement was due to the severe impact of the rains on some schools.

He stated that the floods would be imprudent to endanger the lives of learners and staff without implementing watertight measures to ensure the safety of all affected school communities.

“The devastating effects of the rains in some of the schools is so severe that it will be imprudent to risk the lives of learners and staff before water-tight measures are put in place to ensure adequate safety of all affected school communities,” read in a part.

Among those criticizing CS Machogu is Lawyer Nelson Havi, who appeared visibly surprised, questioning why such an important announcement was made on the morning of the school reopening.

"How do you issue a notice of postponement of school opening day on the morning of school opening day?" he questioned.

Parents and guardians, on the other hand, blamed the Education CS for the delayed announcement, citing its impact on the transportation of students who study in other counties.