No Ill Intention Amid Abrupt School Closure, Magoha Tells Parents

NAIROBI, Kenya, Aug, 4 – Education Cabinet Secretary Prof George Magoha has allayed concerns that the government is insensitive to the needs of learners, parents, and stakeholders in the education sector, days after announcing that schools would be closed sooner than expected.

Magoha termed the decision necessary in order to allow the country to prepare for the August 9, polls.

“This is a very serious government that takes seriously the welfare of the children, especially at this transition period,” he said.

Shortly after the decision to close schools on Tuesday, parents expressed their disappointment saying that they were not consulted in good time.

Schools are expected to be closed for one week.

“As you are aware, Kenya is scheduled to conduct its national elections on Tuesday 9 August 2022. Therefore, following consultation, I hereby convey the Government’s decision on the immediate closure of all basic education institutions from Tuesday 2 until Wednesday 10 August to ensure that preparations and conduct of upcoming elections are carried out seamlessly,” read a section of a statement from Magoha.

The directive comes as a shock to parents and stakeholders in the education sector as schools were set to go on a break this Friday.

Alternatively, learners are now expected to return to school on Thursday, August 11, 2022.

“This communication supersedes any earlier communication on the closure of basic education institutions,” he said.

According to the academic calendar, this school term has 10 weeks.

The second term is expected to end on September 16, 2022.

The academic calendar could possibly be affected even further depending on the outcome of this year’s elections.