Some schools within Nairobi and its environs have altered the reporting date from the half-term break from Monday to Tuesday following concerns that demonstrations called by the opposition pose a risk to learners’ safety.
According to the Ministry of Education calendar, the half-term break officially was to end yesterday and learners were expected to resume learning today.
However, a section of parents and teachers complained that allowing the children to go to school could compromise their safety, especially if the demonstrations turn violent.
Parents whose children will travel through the city have expressed fear that transportation might be affected, thereby inconveniencing them. Equally likely to be affected are learners from Nairobi who attend schools upcountry.
Last week, the chair of the National Parents Association Silas Obuhatsa pleaded with Raila and the President to have dialogue to avert a crisis that might affect school children.
Omboko Milemba, the chair of the Kenya Union of Post Primary Education Teachers had asked the Education ministry to defer the opening but there has been no word from the ministry. A few schools sampled by the Nation cited the planned demonstrations as the reason for changing the date.
In State House Girls High School half term break was cut short and learners reported back yesterday for safety reasons. The school is situated along State House Road, which was being patrolled yesterday by heavily armed General Service Unit officers.
The Kenya High School Chief Principal Virginia Wahome on Saturday wrote a text message to parents informing them that the reporting date had been changed to Tuesday.
Makini School Senior Head Teacher John Muriithi also sent a message to parents informing them of the changes on the date of reporting back from half term.
For Nairobi Primary School, which is also close to State House, there has been no change in the opening date. Boarders will report back tomorrow while day scholars will resume studies on Tuesday.
