Education cabinet secretary prof George Magoha is expected to announce final plans on reopening of schools. While making his state of the nation address on Monday, president Uhuru Kenyatta directed that the education ministry release the guidelines as soon as possible. He said the ministry officials were meeting with stake holders and an announcement would be made any time; but not later than Tuesday July 7, 2020.
“The ministry of education will release guidelines by Tuesday July, 2020 on the way forward on the school calendar.” Said the head of state.
On Monday, CS Magoha was holed up in a meeting with officials from the Kenya Secondary Schools Heads Association, KESSHA and those from the Kenya Primary Schools Heads Association (KEPSHA) on the way forward.
RE-OPENING CONDITIONS
It is highly expected that institutions of higher learning and candidate classes will be given first priority if institutions of higher learning are to be re-opened any time soon.
The ministry has set irreducible minimums that have to be met before learners are accepted back to class. These include provision of adequate facilities to ease congestion and thermo guns to monitor temperature of students and teachers.
Also to be availed are masks for all learners plus continuous running water for hand washing.
According to CS Magoha, all teachers will undergo mandatory testing for Covid-19 before being allowed to handle learners.
The CS had earlier indicated that recommendations from the ministry would be made public on Monday. This never happened; a clear indication that the head of state may have overlooked the proposals.
CS Magoha has been sending strong signals that schools may be shut longer due to the increased rates of Covid-19 infections.
EASED RESTRICTIONS
The president seems to be having a different idea; that of resuming learning in September. All eyes will be on CS Magoha as he strives to draft the best re-opening formula.
On Monday, the president eased travel restrictions into and out of places that had earlier been locked down. Nairobi, Mombasa and Mandera had been locked as they had recorded high cases of the killer disease.
Places of worship have also been re-opened but only a maximum of 100 participants will be allowed at a time with kids under the age of 13 and those aged 58 years and above still barred.
The dusk to dawn curfew has at the same time been extended for a further 30 days. Also extended is the prohibition of political and any other gatherings. The number of individuals allowed to attend weddings and burial ceremonies will remain limited for another one month.
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