Heavy Rains and Flooding Disrupt Learning in Schools
Recent heavy rains have caused flooding in schools in different parts of Kenya, affecting learning and causing damage to school infrastructure including toilets, dormitories, and the school’s mosque.
Lamu County Director of Education, Joshua Kaaga, has confirmed that heavy rains have caused flooding in Mokowe School, Kenya. This situation has been ongoing for several weeks, but it worsened in the last few days, prompting the Public Health officers and the school management to send the pupils home.
Parents have been urged to keep their over 600 children at home until the situation is resolved, and the school management is working to ensure the school is safe for learners to return.
The situation has become challenging for students to learn and the school to operate as it should, which prompted the school management and relevant authorities to address the issue and find a lasting solution.
The Mokowe flooding issue is not unique, as many other villages in the area have been grappling with the same problem. Lamu County Government has promised to work with stakeholders to find a lasting solution to the problem.
In the Nyanza region, flooding has affected learning at Ombaka Primary School in Nyando, Kisumu County. Pupils have had to take their classes under trees as their classrooms have been flooded.
At the Ombaka evacuation center, which is located within the school, the pupils have had to share the compound with more than 400 victims whose homes are still marooned.
Although the flood victims have been moved out of the classrooms to enable the resumption of learning, the learners will have to wait for the classes to be disinfected to prevent the spread of diseases.
“We do not want to take chances. We have to ensure that the classes are thoroughly cleaned before we allow the young ones back,” Kakola Chief Jacob Ong’udi said.
In Homa Bay County, learning has resumed at Kobuya and Osodo primary schools in Wang’chieng Ward in Rachuonyo North. However, flood victims have had to share classrooms with learners, and the available facilities are overstretched.
The headteachers of these schools have appealed to the government to build a rescue center where flood victims can be accommodated.
“Some of the classrooms have leaking roofs. It is not conducive for habitation,” Ms Moses said.
In Siaya County, Uhembo and Lung’a primary schools in Alego Usonga and Ugenya respectively, were used as camps for flood victims.
Most of the flood victims have since returned home, but some have chosen to stay with friends and relatives. Learning is going on, and the schools are free.
In Vihiga County, the reopening of Kerongo Primary School has been affected by strong winds and rains that swept a section of its roof during the holidays. The school may not be able to accommodate learners until the roof is repaired.
Heavy Rains and Flooding Disrupt Learning in Schools
