The Government has finally yielded to mounting pressure from concerned parents and postponed the opening of schools for the second term by one week.

The Ministry of Education, led by Cabinet Secretary Ezekiel Machogu, announced the delay on Monday, citing safety concerns due to the ongoing heavy rains impacting various regions across the country.

"Reports received at the Ministry of Education, corroborated with data from other relevant Government agencies, show that a number of schools in various regions of the country have been adversely affected by the rains," the Ministry stated in a press release.

The severity of the situation in some schools was a key factor in the decision.

The Ministry expressed its reservations about risking the lives of learners and staff and highlighted the need for "water-tight measures" to ensure the safety of school communities.

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"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," Machogu said.

The postponement applies to all primary and secondary schools nationwide, and therefore the new opening date is set for Monday, May 6th, 2024.

"Based on this assessment, 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 ministry announced.

Machogu said this one-week grace period will allow the ministry, alongside relevant agencies and stakeholders, to implement measures to mitigate the effects of the rains and ensure schools are prepared for the safe resumption of classes.

The Ministry also pledged to provide regular updates on developments concerning the education sector throughout this period.