- Assessments done jointly by the Ministry of Education, Save the Children and UNICEF reveal that over 3,781 classrooms and 18,615 toilets are flooded making them unusable for learners.
- Some roads to schools in areas like Garissa are cut off, worsening the situation.
Image: FILE
Almost half a million learners are yet to report to school three weeks since the institutions of learning re-opened for second term, a children's lobby now says.
Save the Children on Thursday said up to 497,783 learners are still home or are living in temporary shelters unable to resume their studies.
Assessments done jointly by the Ministry of Education, Save the Children and UNICEF reveal that over 3,781 classrooms and 18,615 toilets are flooded making them unusable for learners.
Some roads to schools in areas like Garissa are cut off, worsening the situation.
The floods also washed away property and businesses, leaving parents unable to pay school fees.
The damage to classrooms, toilets, and playgrounds in some schools within the country remains glaring to date.
Waterborne diseases such as diarrhoea and cholera in children are on the rise.
Ministry of Health reports have indicated that 49 per cent of the reported cholera cases have been children between one and 10 years.
This is after sewer lines in parts of the country burst leading to faecal matter finding its way into classrooms, playgrounds, and homes.
Further, learners who have been able to return to school have found damaged books, classrooms, and toilets, and their mental health remains a major concern.
A parent in Nairobi's informal settlement said children are traumatised by the effects of the heavy rains.
“Ever since our house was affected by the floods, we are having trouble sleeping well. Children are scared and they start crying whenever it starts raining. The teachers tell me that even in school, they get scared when it starts raining and they won't calm down until the rains stop,” Jackson said.
Some of the flood-affected families are still living in temporary shelters awaiting relocation and resettlement to safer grounds.
"Children in these camps face serious protection concerns such as Sexual Gender Based Violence, loss of walking aids and wheelchairs for children with disability, lack of clean water for cooking and drinking, and psychosocial stress and trauma," the lobby said.
Save the Children Kenya and Madagascar Interim Country Director Mohamed Abdiladif said the cost of inaction of climate-induced shocks is far too great.
"We are urging urgent public health measures to reduce risks of waterborne diseases in schools whose sanitation facilities are damaged. All children have a right to a quality, safe, and inclusive education,” Abdiladif said.
The lobby commended the government for the initiatives taken to ensure the continuity of education during this challenging time.
"However, more action is needed to guarantee that all children can return to school and learn in a safe environment," the lobby said.
" We call on partners and other stakeholders to support immediate recovery interventions by supporting relevant line ministries to conduct rapid assessments to inform recovery efforts."
The lobby also wants partners to help in repairing classrooms, dormitories, and toilets as well as providing alternative learning spaces.