Release capitation to schools before May 6

Kakamega Primary School pupils play during lunchtime at their school. [Benjamin Sakwa, Standard]

The Ministry of Education has finally caved into pressure and postponed the reopening of schools to May 6, 2024. The directive issued yesterday morning by Education Cabinet Secretary Ezekiel Machogu is reactionary just as it is belated. Parents, teachers and leaders had long raised an alarm after floods destroyed some schools, but the ministry opted not to listen to their concerns.

As Machogu was postponing the reopening of institutions, some students from far-flung areas were already on their way to school. They possibly got to their schools to find them shut, and in cases where they might have been welcomed, the schools may not have a budget and programme for them for this whole week.