Four primary and six secondary schools within the county of Kisumu may not reopen with other schools in January as a result of record floods in the region.
This year has not been good for many people. School closures, drowning economies, deaths, and rising hospital bills are but a few consequences of an unwelcomed virus. To add salt to injury, nature has not been forgiving either.
Since the beginning of the year, downpours have been pounding in large quantities. As a result, lakes have defied their traditional shores, causing havoc to neighborhoods.
We already reported an event in which tens of schools in Baringo County have been submerged by flooding waters of Lakes Baringo and Bogoria. Several schools have since been moved after receiving funding from locals through harambees. A case in hand is Lake Baringo Secondary School whose construction is ongoing.
Kisumu County schools are now the latest victims of Mother Nature’s wrath. According to the Director of Education for Kisumu County Isaac Atebe, six schools in the county are in danger of not reopening in January as their classes remain under water.
The affected secondary schools include Kandaria and Ombaka Mixed Secondary Schools. Kandaria, Nyamrundu,Ogenya, and Oseth primary schools have also been affected. All these schools are located in either Nyakach or Nyando sub-county.
According to Atebe, at least 65 movable tents and toilets are required to accommodate the displaced students if they are to attend classes in January. So far, 10 tents have been acquired through donation by UNICEF.
Grade 4, 8 and form 4 students in the affected schools have already been moved to nearby schools to continue with their education. For example, 193 form 4 students from Kandaria Secondary School are now hosted by Nduru Secondary School; while over 600 students from Kandaria primary are taking their classes at Ugwe Primary School. However, the classes may not be enough when doors are opened for other classes.
An assessment done in the affected schools shows that the damage caused is almost irreparable. Class walls have cracked, boreholes contaminated and property is immensely destroyed.
Even as the county government works with relevant stakeholders in the education sector to normalize things, it is imminent that learning has been gravely undercut for thousands of students.
