Africa-Press – Kenya. The government has been urged to consider extending school holidays by a week to cushion learners from being caught up in the havoc occasioned by the ongoing heavy rains in the country.
Thika Town MP Alice Ng’ang’a argued that reopening schools at a time when the heavy rains continue to cause deaths and destruction of property could result to further harm.
So far, at least 50 people have been confirmed dead following the heavy rains that have seen rivers burst their banks, estates and roads flooded paralysing activities in most parts of the country.
The MP pleaded with the Ministry of Education to consider extending the date of reopening of schools especially in flood-prone areas saying learners’ lives will be at risk.
She said the government should monitor the rain situation and prepare well for a better and safe return-to-school formula.
Should the learners resume studies as planned, the lawmaker said most parents, especially those whose children are day-scholars, will defy taking them to school especially those prone to floods.
“No parent will take their child to dangerously flooded schools. It is wise if the government extends the holiday for just a week to monitor the situation,” the MP said.
According to the Ministry of Education, learners will resume their term two studies from April 29 to August 2 a period of 14 weeks.
The learners will then close for the August holiday from August 5 to August 23.
The MP spoke while disbursing bursary cheques worth Sh45 million to 10,000 needy students through the area National Government Constituency Development Fund (NG-CDF).
Ng’ang’a said day secondary students received Sh4,000 each while those in boarding schools received Sh5,000 each.
“I extend heartfelt gratitude to the parents and guardians for braving the weather, and may this bursary serve as a blessing to our children,” Ng’ang’a said.
She noted that tertiary institutions, colleges and university students will be issued with bursary cheques next month. “The number of beneficiaries today was too high that’s why we pushed issuance of the bursaries to college and university students to next month,” she said.
She at the same time revealed that the Thika NG-CDF has laid down an elaborate plan that will see parents in all day secondary schools within the constituency pay Sh2,000 only as school fees, adding that the kitty will facilitate the rest including meals for the students.
The MP, also unveiled the Thika NG-CDF 2023-2027 strategic plan which she said will be a game changer in terms of developments in the area.
Among the development initiatives lined up for the area include refurbishment of schools, construction and upgrading of classrooms, laboratories among others.
Parents who benefited said the funds was a ‘shot-in-the-arm’ as most are currently facing challenging economic times.
“Even putting food on the table has become a toll order. Things are tough for most of us and we are grateful for the little we have received,” said Susan Wanjiku, a parent.
The parents also called on the government to make swift interventions that will see the cost of living lowered for Kenyans to live decently.
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