The Kenya Private Schools Association, KPSA, has released a circular regarding the reopening of their institutions. This follows the announcement by Education Cabinet Secretary, Professor George Magoha, on how schools shall be reopened. It should be noted that private schools were hardest hit by the closure of schools as a result of the Corona virus outbreak in the country.
Below is the full circular by KPSA Chief Executive Officer, Ndoro M. Peter. ;
RE: PROGRESSIVE REOPENING OF SCHOOLS.
Greeting to all our members.
Following the press release by the Cabinet Secretary for Education dated 6th October, 2020 on the progressive reopening of basic Education institutions KPSA wish to further advise its members as follows;
1. Grade 4, Class 8 and form 4 classes of 2020 resume their studies on 12th October, 2020 for their second term of the academic year 2020.
2. Irrespective of the availability of space, all our schools should STRICTLY adhere to reopening of the stated levels and wait for the progressive reopening of the other levels by the Cabinet Secretary.
3. The protocols for reopening of schools as outlined in the guidelines should be well understood and strictly implemented for the safety of all learners and other stakeholders.
4. Schools should continue putting in place the required measures to safely accommodate learners for the other classes in anticipation of the pronouncement on reopening by the CS Ministry of Education.
Further and following the indefinite closure of all schools KPSA is fully aware that this has been the biggest survival and sustainability challenge that private schools have collectively faced in recent history.
Private schools in Kenya depend entirely on school fees paid for by parents when their children are in session and in school for all their operational support. Without school fees then private schools cannot survive.
The general Kenyan economy has been depressed and majority of the economic sectors have been struggling which has consequently affected the parents taking their children to school.
Subsequent to the above and taking into considerations that private schools and parents have been facing challenges the association is advising its members to note the following;
1. All the financial obligations from the previous terms remain valid and will be executed based on the individual schools internal mechanisms.
2. Given the challenges that we all face, Private schools should consider giving flexible school fees payment terms based on a considered case by case basis and in a manner that will not compromise the access and provision of quality Education in a safe and healthy environment.
KPSA continues to engage the government for the release of the promised stimulus package to Private Schools and availability of negotiated flexible credit facilities from our partner commercial banks.