Headteachers have accused the Ministry of Education under Cabinet Secretary George Magoha of failing to communicate in advance on the Tuesday, August 2, school break to allow the country hold the August 9 polls.
Through Kahi Indimuli, the chairperson of the Kenya Secondary's Heads Associations (KSSHA), the headteachers detailed that the Ministry of Education did not send prior communication but made an abrupt decision on the closure.
Speaking to Kenyans.co.ke, Indimuli explained that the directive has attracted outrage from parents and teachers who were caught unawares. He maintained that some schools have been compelled to make local arrangements to accommodate students before releasing them for the half-term break.
"We have heard the complaints from parents, but let me just be clear: we also received the orders on Monday, and we must adhere to them.
"Some schools may accommodate the students for one more day to allow parents to prepare to pick them, especially boarding schools," Indimuli told Kenyans.co.ke.
Indimuli further disclosed that Magoha's short notice is likely to cause a transport crisis in the country.
He explained that school heads use a strategic formula when closing schools, allowing students to leave on different dates. But with Magoha's directive, schools have been forced to send all students home at once.
The sudden closure has also compelled schools to reschedule activities such as ongoing examinations in some institutions.
According to Indimuli, the directive has sunk some institutions into financial losses.
"Some schools, especially boarding schools, buy perishable goods weekly. The abrupt order compelled them to give out the goods for free. This has led to financial losses," Indimuli revealed.
Before Magoha's order, schools were set to break on August 6 to allow the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) conduct the General Election.
The electoral body has listed most schools as polling centres. The early closure allowed for preparation, including labelling of centres and making public voters lists in all stations.
According to Magoha, schools are set to resume on August 11 after the conclusion of the polls.
