The Ministry of Education has directed schools to clear monies owed to the Postal Corporation. The Ministry notes that most schools have not been paying for the postal boxes through which they receive mails and parcels. The Principal Secretary in the Ministry, Dr. Bellio Kipsang, says the non payment prompted the Postal Corporation to formally launch a complaint with the Ministry.
“The Ministry is in receipt of a letter from the Postal Corporation of Kenya in which it has emerged that many schools have not been paying for the postal boxes they have rented from the Kenya Postal Postal Corporation. Consequently, the schools have accumulated arrears totaling to KShs 185,639,304.” Says Dr. Kipsang via a circular sent to all County and Sub County Directors of Education.
The PS orders the field officers to ensure schools within their jurisdictions pay the arrears immediately.
“The Ministry notes with concern the non-payment of the rental boxes fee an direct you to ensure schools under your jurisdiction attend to this obligation,” adds Dr. Kipsang.
Non-payment of the postal charges has only but further complicated the financial status of the already struggling mail service provider. The emerging of internet has reduced the number of mails being sent through hard copies; with many preferring E-mails and other electronic modes.
Part of the fee capitation that schools receive from the government is to be spent for various vote heads; including operation costs.
kipsang says school heads should immediately visit the postal corporation offices where they have rented the postal boxes to check their balances and clear them.
Communication from the Teachers Service Commission, TSC, to schools is done via the Postal boxes.
The latest education news-The government has disbursed Sh7.5 billion to secondary schools to help in the administration of the Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) examinations set to kick off on Friday.
Education Cabinet Secretary Prof George Magoha announced that the funds, which translate to 50 percent of the total capitation balances, hit the school accounts on Tuesday. Each learner got Sh1875.26. Operations accounts received Sh1277 per learner while tuition got Sh598.26.
He was speaking at Manyatta Primary School in Kisumu County where he oversaw the handing over of the just-concluded KCPE examinations.
The CS assured the centre managers that the second tranche of funds would be released by the end of April. The money will be used to purchase chemicals for practical subjects and apparatus for science subjects.
Magoha insisted that for proper administration of the national exams, at least two police officers should be posted to each centre to help in securing the examination environment.
“Some schools have a large number of candidates like Maranda has close to 600 and many others with over 300 candidates. Such schools should have three to four police officers, one police officer stationed in the exam room throughout the exam session and the other two should patrol the compound,” noted Magoha.
He also sent a strong warning to teachers and other people who are plotting to impersonate candidates in the forthcoming exams. The CS added that those found culpable would be arrested and taken to court.
Some 699,745 candidates are expected to sit KCSE test papers and have been urged to remain focused and be relaxed as they write the exams.
CS Magoha who was flanked by other education officials congratulated the over 1.9 million KCPE candidates for finishing their exams peacefully. He hailed school heads for ensuring that all the Covid-19 guidelines were observed during that period.
“There was no incident of Covid-19 case reported at any school as the pupils were doing the KCPE exams and we thank all the stakeholders for the smooth process, ” said the CS.
This year’s KCPE which was postponed last year following the outbreak of Covid -19 attracted a 99.99 percent turnout among the pupils.
According to Magoha, even the candidates who were not registered due to some rogue teachers were allowed to do the exams.
The CS did not bow to pressure from KUPPET to have marking centres decentralised. He said that having numerous marking centres across the country promotes cheating of exams.
He advised the Kenya National Examinations Council (KNEC) to avoid expanding the marking centres.
The Kenyan government is finding itself in a tight spot over planned reopening of schools slated for this September. 8 petitioners have moved to the High court seeking answers on how the government is prepared ahead of schools’ reopening. Also of major concern, to the petitioners, is the unequal coverage and distribution of e-learning equipment countrywide.
The petitioners (Robert Olouch, Evans Odhiambo, Walter Akeyo, Michael Kojo, Millicent Adhiambo, Evance Atieno, Irene Adhiambo and Mary Omwanda) hold that government has not fully complied with the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) guidelines on the reopening of schools. The latest guidelines require that once schools begin to reopen, priority should be on how to reintegrate learners into school settings safely and in ways that allow learning to pick up again, especially for those who suffered the biggest learning losses.
The suit that was filed at the Kisii High Court on Thursday, May 28 the petitioners’ Lawyer Japhet Osoro Kaosa has listed Education, Science and Technology Cabinet Secretary, Ministry of Education Science and Technology, Kenya Institute of Curriculum Development and Attorney General were filed as the first, second, third and fourth respondents.
According to the petition papers parents who are registered as essential services providers such as health care workers have little time in guiding their children on e-learning which needs some form of supervision. They thus want the current lessons being streamed by the Kenya Institute of Curriculum Development (kicd) to be declared null and void.
In his latest address, president Uhuru Kenyatta directed the ministry of education to come up with an elaborate plan on how schools are to reopen. He at the same time asked the ministry to rework the school calendar that should be made public by mid August.
There are sharp divisions between stake holders with some supporting the plans to have partial reopening of schools, while others want the year written off and learning to resume in January, 2020.
Education Cabinet Secretary, Prof. George Magoha will no longer manage workers in his Ministry. This follows a move by the Public Service Commission (PSC) to withdraw the power to manage the human resource functions it had delegated to him. Magoha has been in the limelight, lately, for all the wrong reasons after a video of him insulting a junior officer at the Ministry went viral online.
In his place, the Commission has appointed the Principal Secretary for Early Learning and Basic Education, Dr. Richard Belio Kipsang, to be in charge of all human resource matters in the ministry with immediate effect.
PSC Chairman Stephen Kirogo in a circular addressed to chairpersons of Public Universities Councils and copied to the Head of Public Service Dr Joseph Kinyua, said all human resource matters requiring the attention of the Public Service Commission shall henceforth be handled by Dr Kipsang as Authorized Officer of the Ministry until further notice.
Mr Kirogo noted that the move was in exercise of the Commission’s powers and commitment to protect public servants against undignified and unwarranted attacks, reiterating that the execution of delegated authority is designed to foster public confidence and maintain the integrity and dignity of the public service.
“The purpose of this general letter is to inform you that in view of the recent incident in the Ministry of Education relating to the role of the Authorized Officer, the Commission has in the meantime withdrawn the delegation of its powers and functions from the Cabinet Secretary, Prof. George A. O. Magoha, CBS and delegated the said powers to the Principal Secretary for Early Learning and Basic Education, Dr. Richard Belio Kipsang, CBS with immediate effect,” the circular reads.
Cabinet Secretaries as Chief Executive Officers of Ministries and State Departments are designated as Authorized Officers exercising delegated powers and functions of the Public Service Commission in the management of the human resource under their purview.
In the circular, the Commission calls upon Authorized Officers to act in a manner that is consistent with provisions of the Constitution, applicable statutory requirements, regulations, policies, guidelines and manuals for effective management of the public service including public Universities.
The abrasive CS Magoha will now take a back seat even as heat builds to have him sacked from the Ministry.
Education Cabinet Secretary Prof. George Magoha has said all teachers employed by the Teachers Service Commission (TSC) will now be enrolled to provide community service lessons. The CS said this on Thursday morning while addressing the media on stakeholder resolutions on reopening of learning institutions in Kenya in the face of the Corona crisis.
“Multi-agency teams (will) map out country to ensure teachers offer community service lessons on values to learners under an arrangement similar to the Nyumba Kumi framework. TSC will issue guidelines on the new plan that will come at no cost to parents.” Said CS Maghoha.
Present at the media briefing was TSC Boss Dr. Nancy Macharia who said the Commission will come up with guidelines on community service learning to be conducted by teachers.
This comes after President Uhuru Kenyatta asked the CS to convene a stake holders’ meeting to chat the way forward on reopening of learning institutions.
Magoha says the Ministry is expected to continue inspecting institutions of learning to ensure they are ready for reopening in January 2021.
He said most colleges and universities are not ready for reopening and will thus remain closed till January 2021. He asked the Universities to continue offering online programmes, including examinations and graduations to students.
The good news for teachers employed by the Boards of Management as the CS affirmed that they will be receiving their perks in coming weeks.
“The Government has set aside funds to pay salaries to Board of Government teachers, security staff and settle utilities,” confirmed the CS.
Education Cabinet Secretary Prof. George Magoha has said all teachers employed by the Teachers Service Commission (TSC) will now be enrolled to provide community service lessons. The CS said this on Thursday morning while addressing the media on stakeholder resolutions on reopening of learning institutions in Kenya in the face of the Corona crisis.
“Multi-agency teams (will) map out country to ensure teachers offer community service lessons on values to learners under an arrangement similar to the Nyumba Kumi framework. TSC will issue guidelines on the new plan that will come at no cost to parents.” Said CS Maghoha.
Present at the media briefing was TSC Boss Dr. Nancy Macharia who said the Commission will come up with guidelines on community service learning to be conducted by teachers.
This comes after President Uhuru Kenyatta asked the CS to convene a stake holders’ meeting to chat the way forward on reopening of learning institutions.
Magoha says the Ministry is expected to continue inspecting institutions of learning to ensure they are ready for reopening in January 2021.
He said most colleges and universities are not ready for reopening and will thus remain closed till January 2021. He asked the Universities to continue offering online programmes, including examinations and graduations to students.
The good news for teachers employed by the Boards of Management as the CS affirmed that they will be receiving their perks in coming weeks.
“The Government has set aside funds to pay salaries to Board of Government teachers, security staff and settle utilities,” confirmed the CS.
Teachers will not be forced to attend to the Community Based Learning Program, CBL, after all. Education Cabinet Secretary George Magoha has today clarified that payment of the tutors’ salaries is not pegged on their participation in the program.
“The teachers’ participation in the Community Based Learning Programme is not tied to the payment of their monthly salaries,” Says Magoha.
There has been growing concerns over actions that the government may mete on teachers who choose to skip the exercise. The Ministry’s Chief Administrative Secretary (CAS) Zack Kinuthia was quoted by the media alluding that teachers who skip the exercise will have their salaries stopped. This has, now, been quashed by CS Magoha.
“The Ministry therefore wishes to clarify media reports to the effect that teachers who have yet to enroll for the programme will be denied their monthly salaries,” Magoha adds.
Magoha is at the same urging those who have not enrolled for the exercise to do so without any prejudice.
“We encourage all teachers that have yet to enroll to do so to facilitate the running of the noble programmes,” he urges.
Teachers are supposed to be engaged within their current areas of residence. By last week, over 200,000 teachers had enrolled for the programme through the local Curriculum Support Officers and TSC Sub County Directors.
According to Magoha, the teachers’ employer ‘has mapped out teachers to be involved under the programme’.
The exercise is expected to be rolled out in coming weeks with learners being attended in local public places and schools. Aach class will consist a maximum of 15 learners. Teachers must ensure full compliance with the Ministry of Health’s guidelines on covid-19.
With Magoha’s recent pronouncement, other teachers may opt to skip the exercise.
Education cabinet secretary Prof. George Magoha has put the record straight concerning school fees payments. The CS was responding to concerns over plea by parents with kids in public schools to reduce school fees once schools reopen. There have also been complains by parents in private schools after they were asked to pay full fees.
While appearing before the Parliamentary Committee on education, the CS said there is no need for parents with kids in public schools.
‘The government pays fees for Tuition and Examination for all Pupils and Students in Primary and Secondary schools, so there is nothing to waive,” the CS said.
A request by the members of parliament for the ministry to extend free education fee waiver to private school was turned down by the CS.
“It is very difficult that the government still has to extend the money from the exchequer for tuition to private schools too, despite the parents’ choice to leave the free government schools for the private schools. we may need to reconsider this,” Magoha clarified.
Parents with children in an international private school in Nairobi are seeking the court’s intervention over what they term as exorbitant fee demands by private schools. It is Brookhouse school that has majorly faced the wrath of parents who saythey are being forced to meet the full cost of electricity, food, internet, printing assignments, teaching, and supervising children during the current closure as result of the covid-19 pandemic.
BrookHouse international School; one of the leading private school in the country.
The private schools have been running online tuition for learners and asking parents to meet the fee costs. But Education CS George Magoha restates that schools will remain closed till June 4 and that the Government will review the situation before advising the public of the next step regarding the start of second term.
School fees for public schools. Read details here:
School fee charged by Brookhouse school ranges between Sh150,000 and Sh1.5 million per term depending on the class of the learner.
“It is in order for private schools to negotiate with parents the percentage of fees to be paid, so that learning continues and the schools are still functional,” added the CS.
Egerton university staff face turbulent financial times after their salaries were slashed by the varsity. The pay cut is as a result of the current covid-19 pandemic that has paralyzed learning and other key operations not only in Kenya but also world over. The pandemic that has seen unprecedented job losses is now threatening to eat into workers’ salaries.
The university’s Vice Chancellor Rose Mwonya now says the university will not be able to pay all its employees their full April and subsequent month’s salaries.
“Due to Covid-19 pandemic that has affected the whole country, Egerton University is not able to generate enough funds internally to be able to pay salaries for the month of April 2020. This might continue for a while during the pandemic period,” Says the vice chancellor in a memo.
According to the memo, workers in lower cadres will continue receiving their full salaries while those in higher job grades will face a pay cut of up to 40%. In a quick rejoinder, though, the university promises to pay the arrears in future.
“Staff in grade 1-4 will receive their full 100% net salaries as indicated in their payslips. Staff in grade 5-19 will receive 60% of their net salaries as indicated in their respective payslips. The balance of 40% will be paid as soon as funds are available,” she adds.
Public universities largely depend on funding from the national government to run their operations. Other major sources of income include students’ fees and the Higher Education Loans Board, helb.
The covid-19 pandemic has seen prolonged closure of learning institutions; since mid-March when the first case was reported in the country. The Education ministry is mulling the next course of action and has already constituted a committee of stakeholders to come up with proposals on how to safely reopen the learning institutions.
The committee dubbed ‘National Covid-19 Education Response Committee’ has already kicked off its operations and Kenyans have one week to make their submissions.
It is not only the universities that are facing challenges in paying their employees. Schools haven’t been spared either and in fact some have sent their staff on unpaid leaves. Public schools, just like universities, get most of their funding from the government and students’ fees.
Education Cabinet Secretary Professor George Magoha has issued a statement on the release of the 2020 Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) examinations. Speaking at he Starehe Boys Centre and School in Nairobi, the CS said the marking of the examination is complete. The CS said results will be out in due course. See the full statement below;
STATUS OF THE KCSE 2020 RESULTS
“The marking exercise for the Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) Examination that started three weeks ago has officially ended today.
I take this opportunity to thank all the dedicated examiners and a committed team of Ministry of Education and Teachers Service Commission officials who worked tirelessly to ensure this exercise, which took place in 35 centres countrywide, was executed well.
I also wish to thank the Ministry of Interior and Co ordination of National Government, headed by CS Dr. Fred Matiang‘i, for providing security to the teachers and examination scripts during the marking exercise and the Ministry of ICT, Innovation and Youth Affairs, headed by CS Joe Mucheru for providing competent Data entry personnel.
We must not forget the excellent services provided by all Principals who organised the examination marking at all the centres. Our decision to increase the number of marking centres this year enabled us to comply with the social distancing requirements in line with the Ministry of Health guidelines.
Over the next couple of days, we will move to the next level of processing the outputs of te just concluded marking exercise with the hope that we will release the KCSE Examination results as soon as possible.
OPENING FOR THE THIRD TERM OF THE 2020 SCHOOL CALENDAR
As you are aware, His Excellency President Uhuru Kenyatta announced on May 1, 2021 that the opening of schools for the Third Term of the 2020 Academic Calendar will go on as scheduled.
I, therefore, wish to affirm that all primary and secondary schools will open on Monday, May 10th, 2021 forn the Third Term, which will run to July 16th, 2021.
Learners expected to report to their schools are those in PP1 and PP2, Grade 1 3, Standard 5 – 7 and Form 1 to Form 3.
I wish to emphasize that Grade Four learners will remain at home until July 26th, 202 when schools will open for the First Term of the 2021 Academic Calendar. This is necessary because the Grade Four learners were part of the first batch of learners who reopened in the first case of the phased resumption of learning after the COVID–19 closure in October 2020.
We have received reports that some private schools are planning to recall Grade Four learners together with other groups that are expected to open on Monday. Such schools must stop this plan and allow all public and private learning institutions to adhere to the stipulated calendar.
SCHOOL FEES CAPITATION MONIES
Stern action will be taken against schools that reopen for Grade Four candidates. The Grade Four learners must be allowed to study at home until they join Grade 5 on July 26, 2021.
The Government has released Ksh.7.5 billion to secondary schools ahead of the schools reopening. We have also made a request to the National Treasury for the release of a further Ksh.13 billion for the secondary schools and Ksh.2.8 billion for primary schools.
We therefore hope that schools will be adequately prepared to put in place measures to adhere to the Ministry of Health COVID–19 protocols.
The Ministry has already released a circular to all field officers to ensure that all schools are ready to accept learners on Monday and that they are all prepared to comply with the Ministry of Health‘s COVID–19 measures.
Teachers play a pivotal role in curriculum delivery and can not be replaced by online educational programmes. These are sentiments held by the Kenya Institute of Curriculum Development, KICD. This is relation to queries raised over the suitability of the online programmes and if they can indeed be a possible replacement of physical teaching at school.
But, the KICD has come clear saying teachers’ work can not easily be replaced by online delivered lessons.
“The alternative curriculum delivery modes are not meant to replace the teacher but to compliment the work of a teacher,” KICD clarifies.
Various stake holders have been raising concern over the uptake (by learners) of the online lessons that are being run by the KICD. A number of educational programmes have been developed by KICD to support learners while at home; as schools continue to be shutdown to curb spread of the deadly Corona virus disease. The programmes are run on a daily basis via radio, television, YouTube and Kenya Education Cloud (KEC).
Amani National Congress, ANC, party leader Musalia Mudavadi says the assertions by the Education Ministry that (online) learning is ongoing are misleading.
“We have heard government officials say that learning is going on, online. They have also said that national examinations will go on, as was scheduled at the start of the year. We don’t know of any packages of measures that the ministry has made for parents, teachers and learners to facilitate, equalize and monitor home learning. Without clearly defined and equitable state-owned and state-facilitated learning packages, it is misleading and even mischievous to claim that learning is going on. It is not,” says Mudavadi.
“Not every learner has access to radio or TV and less still to the internet. Even those who can physically access these facilities are challenged with the COSTS of activating them. Let us not cheat ourselves,” he adds.
This is how and where one can access digital content on the Kenya Education Cloud https://kec.ac.ke
While, noting that the said programmes are only meant to supplement work done by teachers, KICD says the programmes are more suitable especially now that learners can’t go to school as a result of the ‘Stay at Home’ order.
“The programmes are not meant to match what a teacher does does in class but to add value to the learners’ quest for konwledge, skills (and) values while at home. In this situation where most learners have no direct access to the teacher, the interactive radio and e-learning lessons are the available curriculum delivery modes, especially in the condition of ‘stay at home’,” KICD explains.
Data for some form ones on the National Education Management Information System, Nemis, has been erased by mistake. This is after a technical hitch was experienced at the portal that stores all primary school and secondary school learners’ information, in Kenya. The erasure does not only affect the 2020 form ones but also new comers in some schools.
“We had registered over 200 students on the system. But, the system shows that we now have zero form ones. Uploading data into this system was a herculean task. We had to trans night so as to beat set deadlines,” says a teacher whose school’s Nemis data had been deleted.
The ministry officials had promised to sort out the mess by Monday.
Screenshot showing that Nemis data for this school is missing; for their form ones.
The government uses the crucial data on Nemis to disburse fees capitation for learners in all public schools. The data is also used for the medical insurance scheme for learners that is provided by the National Hospital Insurance Fund, NHIF. Further, details on Nemis are used to identify participants during co-curricular activities championships.
It is a mandatory requirement that all learners be captured on Nemis. But, in some cases the process of enlisting the learners has been hampered by lack of birth certificates for some of them. Those seeking transfers away from their current schools must get approval through a process that encompasses use of the system.
Education Cabinet Secretary Prof. George Magoha has said the 2020 Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) and Kenya Certificate of Primary Education (KCPE) examinations will not be postponed. Addressing the media today ,during the daily updates session on the Corona virus pandemic in the country, the CS said the exams will go on as scheduled; as not so much learning time has been lost, so far. He said by the time schools were closed, ten weeks of first term had been covered.
“My children are enjoying their holiday. We cannot risk their lives. We have worked on a backup plan and we shall not postpone exams,” he said.
On reopening of schools, the CS said such a decision would be arrived at depending on the status of the Covid-19 pandemic. “Dead people do not take exams. The question of whether schools shall open on 1st May as planned depends on how COVID-19 crisis shapes up. Let no one tell you we shall postpone exams. Don’t get pressure over nothing. We have several scenarios” CS Magoha said.
According to the 2020 time tables from the Kenya National Examinations Council KCSE exams will commence on Monday November 2, 2020 to Wednesday November 25, 2020. The exam period shall last for eighteen (18) days.
The teachers’ unions have been calling for the postponement of the examinations.
The CS reported that learners who are engaged in teachings learning activities via various digital platforms.
“We are carrying on with online learning for our children who are at home,” he added.
The Kenya Institute of Curriculum Development, KICD, is running daily radio and Television lessons to learners across the country; with major concern being on accessibility by intended learners.
This comes even as the Covid-19 pandemic continues to ravage the country.
CS Magoha did not disclose the plans that his Ministry has put in place concerning administration of this year’s national exams. But, possible plans by the Ministry of Education could see reopening of schools only for the candidate classes (Class 8 and form 4).
Knec has already postponed diploma and certificate exams; in line with the President’s directive for closure of all learning institutions.
The Ministry of education has finally released free education funds to all public schools in the country. The funds for tranche 2 disbursement had been withheld due to the current prolonged closure of all learning institutions; as a result of the covid-19 pandemic.
The funds were deposited in the schools’ operations accounts between August 3 and 5, 2020; with no disbursement for the tuition account.
Education Cabinet Secretary George Magoha confirmed that indeed the funds have hit schools’ accounts.
“All the requisite funds have already been released to schools. Therefore, it is expected that the support staff will continue receiving their wages.” He told Legislators last week.
Magoha said the funds will be used to pay teachers working on Board of Management terms and Sub-ordinate staff; who have gone for 5 months without salaries.
“The Government has set aside sufficient funds to pay Board of Management teachers, non-teaching staff; including security men and women to ensure proper maintenance and safety in schools,” he explained.
In total each learner in all public schools receives Sh22,244 per year under the government’s Free Day Secondary Education (FDSE) program. Of this Sh9,400 goes into operations including Personal Emoluments (Salaries and wages for BOM staff).
TABLE SHOWING THE FDSE Structure
S/NO.
ITEM
AMOUNT (KES)
1
Tuition
4,144.00
2
Medical/ Insurance
2,000.00
3
Activity
1,500.00
4
SMASSE
200.00
5
Other Vote Heads
9,400.00
6
Maintenance and Improvement
5,000.00
7
Grand Total
22,244.00
Other vote heads: local travel and transport, Administration, Electricity, Personnel emolument.
BOM TEACHERS, STAFF GIVEN A RAW DEAL BY SCHOOLS
In related news, schools have embarked on the process of paying BOM teachers and staff. A spot check showed that most schools had only opted to pay part of the July salaries; writing off the unpaid balances.
“My monthly salary is Sh12,000. But, I have just received a pay of Sh5,500 only. Attempts to reach the Principal have been futile with his phone either going unanswered or off,” said one of the affected teachers but, who sought anonymity for fear of being victimized.
At Arnesen’s High School, the BOM teachers have been told that they will only be paid part of their August, 2020 salaries.
“Subject to a BOM meeting held on August 4, 2020 it was decided that you will be paid half salary in August, 2020,” says the memo at our disposal.
“From September 1, 2020 you will proceed on unpaid leave until such a time when the Ministry gives further instructions on reopening (dates) of schools,” the memo goes on to say.
It is not clear on whether schools should pay all arrears, owed to the BOM staff, using the just disbursed funds. Apart from paying salaries and wages, the funds in the operations account are also used to meet local and transport, administration and electricity expenses.
Disbursement of capitation to schools will done in the ratio 50:30:20; for term 1, 2 and 3 respectively.
Education Cabinet Secretary George Magoha on Friday received an interim report of the Education Covid-19 Response Committee at the Kenya Institute of Curriculum Development, KICD. While receiving the report CS Magoha said reopening of schools will not be a switch-on-switch off affair; it will be cautious, methodical and based on data, evidence from the Ministry of Health.
Here is the full address by CS Magoha;
“INTERIM REPORT OF THE COVID-19 NATIONAL EDUCATION RESPONSE COMMITTEE
“On May 12th 2020, the Ministry of Education appointed the COVID-19 National Education Response Committee to advise the Cabinet Secretary on the most prudent steps to be
taken to ensure a return to normality in the basic education sector in the face of the Coronavirus crisis.
“Upon appointing the Committee, the team was advised to work with speed to submit an interim report to the Cabinet Secretary as part of the evidence upon which the Government will make further decisions regarding the extended school closure. The current one month extension to the school re-opening dates is set to end on June 4th 2020.
“The Committee has today presented the Interim Report to the Cabinet Secretary with various proposals on possible mitigation measures that, if put in place, will ensure the
health and safety of learners in schools once they are re-opened. The Ministry will review the report before advising the country on the steps to be taken regarding the academic
calendar, and the level of preparedness that will be required of all stakeholders involved in the running of ECD centres, primary and secondary schools, and teacher training institutions.
“The Ministry wishes to note that the COVID-19 situation obtaining during the time when the Committee collected views from all stakeholders has sharply changed this week when the infection rates have hit three digit figures. Further, the Ministry of Health has projected that the rates of COVID-19 infections are likely to hit a peak in August September 2020. The Ministry takes these projections seriously, especially in view of the fact that more than 350 of our schools are currently designated as quarantine and isolation centres.
“The import of this is that Kenyans should be aware that painful but necessary decisions will be made based on data and evidence provided by the Ministry of Health from time to time. All stakeholders should, therefore, be prepared to face the reality of a likely extended closure of our schools given that the Government will never sacrifice the health of our children at the expense of an education that can wait to be offered at a later time when the safety and health of children can be guaranteed.
“Henceforth, the Ministry will focus on coming up with strong mitigation measures that will be required in schools once they reopen based on the recommendations of the Committee and those provided by the Ministry of Health. As such, the Ministry will desist from focusing on school reopening dates and instead give priority to putting in place solid mitigation measures for the sector ecosystem.
“The Ministry recognizes that the process of reopening schools will not be a switch-on switch-off affair, but rather a carefully thought out and methodical process that must guarantee the safety and health of all learners, teachers and staff.
The Ministry plans to table some of these proposals before the National Emergency Response Committee this weekend to ensure further consultations to inform the making of a decision regarding the current one month school extension of schools, which expires on June 4th, 2020. These consultations will also take into consideration the fact that the current Government restrictions announced by His Excellency President Uhuru Kenyatta will expire on June 6th, 2020.
“Going forward, the Ministry wishes to urge parents, guardians and care givers to continue providing guidance to their children as they learn from home, including supervising their studies through the broadcast, online and digital learning currently being provided through the Kenya Institute for Curriculum Development. Parental engagement is extremely fundamental to ensure all-round development of our children during this period more than ever before.
“The Ministry will update the country from time-to-time on the current situation regarding the education sector based on the advice of the Ministry of Health. In doing so, the Ministry wishes to categorically state that all decisions will be made while giving priority to the health and safety of learners, teachers and other school staff.”
The ministry of education has issued fresh guidelines on how universities shall be reopened following closure in March; to combat spread of covid 19. According to the latest guidelines, all universities are expected to resume operations in September this year. It is expected that by that time the rate of infections would have gone down.
“The ministry of education in collaboration with other government agencies is working on the modalities of reopening all institutions of learning. Modelling projections by the ministry of health on when the peak of infections is projected to be in August/ September, and therefore, it is expected that fewer cases will be reported after September 2020.” reads a circular by the Principal Secretary for State Department for University Education Amb. Simon Nabukwesi and dated June 17, 2020.
The PS has also directed universities to develop elaborate plans ahead of the reopening. In the plans, there should be measures to prevent spread of covid 19 transmissions. Top on the list of requirements is provision of clean running water and soap for hand washing and sanitizers for all students at all times.
The universities should also ensure social distancing and that everybody should be compelled to wear masks.
“Universities will ensure that all learners lecturers and non-teaching staff have masks. The universities may provide these at a subsidized rate to students and staff,” he adds.
At all entry points to the universities, the ministry has directed that there be thermo guns for monitoring body temperature of all persons entering the the institutions.
Students and staff who may not be able to travel back to the universities should be accorded necessary support; including online learning for the students.
“Universities are to ensure that contingency plans are provided for those students who might need assistance to get back to their institutions,” Nabukwesi directs.
Further, universities shall now cease being used as isolation centres so as to sanitize/ fumigate them before operations resume.
“Institutions whose facilities are still, currently, being used for isolation, quarantine or as treatment centres are supposed to liaise with ministry of health to cease any further admissions and to transfer the patients to MoH (Ministry of Health) facilities,” Says the PS.
The institutions of higher learning are expected to have a crunch program to accommodate both the continuing students and first year year students.
Education Cabinet Secretary George Magoha has been traversing the country to see preparedness of schools ahead of the September reopening date. Top in his mission is to find out if schools have adequate supply of clean water.
Preparations for schools’ reopening are in top gear if the current circular by the Teachers Service Commission, TSC, is anything to go by. The teachers’ employer has asked school Heads and Principals to report to schools and lay ground for reopening.
“Monitoring on preparedness of school for reopening due to covid 19 pandemic is ongoing,” reads a circular by TSC to all principals and head teachers.
“All Principals and Head teachers are expected to be present in their institutions and work closely with BOMs (Boards of Management) in the establishment of all protocols required for reopening of schools,” adds the Commission in the circular dated September 7, 2020.
The schools will be expected to form school reopening preparedness committees with immediate effect. Such committees will in turn convene urgent meetings to plan for school reopening. This will be done in collaboration with immediate school neighbors and other stake holders.
Education Cabinet Secretary George Magoha has given strong indications that schools may reopen in November. But, this will only happen if the infection curve continues to drop or flatten out. In his plan, that is yet to be made public, schools may have a phased reopening; by allowing form fours and class eight learners to reopen first.
A meeting of all stake holders, to chat the way forward, is scheduled for September 14, 2020.
SOME TVETs ARE READY FOR REOPENING
According to the CS, only three Technical and Vocational Colleges (Eldoret, Nyeri Polytechnic and Rift Valley Institute) were ready for reopening by close of last week.
An agitated Magoha blamed other institutions for exhibiting lukewarm preparations.
“About 50 per cent of the institutions are on a trajectory towards reopening. What has annoyed me is that this is the sixth week, yet we have to keep on saying the same things over and over. Once we are ready we will allow students to sit their exams,”the CS told the media last week.
Education CS Prof. George Magoha tours Meru and Nyeri county to inspect National Polytechnics in readiness to reopening the Institutions amid Covid-19 Pandemic.The CS is pleased with many institutions across the country for their efforts prepare for reopening of the institutions.
FINAL YEAR MEDICAL STUDENTS ALLOWED BACK TO CLASS
Magoha has at the same time allowed final year medical students to resume physical classes. Via a circular sent to the nine universities that offer training in medicine, the CS more medical personnel were required to tackle the covid 19 pandemic and that this can be achieved by having the students graduating.
“In light of the Covid-19 situation which has precipitated an urgent need to train and assess medical students to support the dearth inadequate healthcare personnel to fight the pandemic, consideration has been given to the request for face-to-face learning and assessment of medical students. This is further informed by a physical inspection of facilities to ascertain the level of preparedness for the resumption of face-to-face learning.” Read the Circular, in part, by CS Magoha.
The circular goes on to instruct universities on what to do in case of an outbreak of covid 19 occurs.
“The University must manage any suspected Covid-19 cases affecting their students in their isolation and quarantine facilities awaiting results. The decision of home-based care or hospital management must be in accordance with Ministry of Health guidelines and protocols,” adds the circular that was sent to the Universities on Monday.
The move by CS Magoha has stirred a storm. On Tuesday September 8, 2020, Narc Kenya party leader Martha Karua criticized the decision by Education CS George Magoha to only reopen medical schools for face to face learning.
“If medical students can be recalled then all students can be recalled!” she demanded.
EducationCabinet Secretary Prof George Magoha has implored parents and guardians to strengthen Parental Empowerment and Engagement with the children to encourage them in life.
Speaking at a handover ceremony of NG-CDF infrastructure worth 28 million shillings to the Government at Kiuu River Secondary school , the CS noted that Parental empowerment was the most important portion of the Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC). It is one of the guiding principles of the Basic Education Curriculum Framework that cannot be ignored in the current education system.
He regretted that some parents and guardians could not assist their children with home work on the pretext that they did not go to school. “Even me my mother did not go to school but she was able to parent me properly while guiding me throughout my life so that I am who I am today” said the CS
“My mother cooked ugali as I watched and as she guided me, I was able to do exactly that which I can do to my family. Do you see how I look like? He posed to the amusement of the invited guests.
He advised the parents to create time for their children and share with them basic ideas which would assist them perfect their inborn talents.
Magoha lauded the role of ACK St. Peters church elders and the community and praised them for recognizing the need for a secondary school in the area given that the nearest one at that time in 2014 was five kilometers away which he said was a long distance for young children to walk.
Parents play a significant role in the overall development and growth of the family. The extended family and community in a traditional society play a crucial role in the education of children. Nonetheless, the condition has changed in contemporary society.
Most parents are less likely to be engaged in their children’s parenting and learning processes because of a variety of factors that the CS said should be addressed for the good of the child.
“I urge parents to be close to your children. Spend at least 30 minutes with your child, listen and advise them. Parents who are involved have a positive effect on the learner’s overall growth in moral and religious values, academic achievements, and appropriate career options” said Prof. Magoha.
He noted that when parents accepted to play their role effectively, they ended up developing a fruitful partnership to promote children’s learning. He also added that the teachers and parents should conceptualize CBC to local areas and with things and activities that can be found locally
He further highlighted that from the National Treasury’s Allocation to infrastructure, Kiambu county schools have been allocated 306,500,000 shillings between 2018/2019 and 2020/2021 FY. This is indeed a worthwhile and massive investment in the county’s schools that will help improve access and quality of education in this county.
“The Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC) is a legacy that H.E. Uhuru Kenyatta wants to leave behind. ”and major stakeholders should similarly embrace it for the sake of the children.
The Kenyan government has continued to invest heavily in education which is meticulously interlinked with the economy.
It is important that the leadership of this country recognize this integral position and are aligning the national and economic development with those of education so as to prepare the toddlers from an early age.
Besides equipping Kenyan children with the competencies needed to excel in the 21st century. CBC will empower Kenyans to be better citizens, the Head of State said during the unveiling of a task force report dubbed ‘Enhancing Access, Relevance, and Quality for Effective Curriculum Reforms Implementation’ that was launched on 9th February 2021.
“The purpose of the new system of ‘Learning to Learn’ is to allow our children to explore, innovate and unshackle their minds from the old and rigid molds of learning. This way they will be able to exploit their imagination, creativity, solve problems, use critical thinking, apply digital literacy and feel a sense of civic duty as citizens,” the President noted.
The Teachers Service Commission, TSC, is planning to recruit an additional 5,000 teachers on permanent and pensionable terms. This is according to the commission boss Dr. Nancy Macharia. While appearing before the National Assembly’s Education Committee on Tuesday, Dr. Macharia said the teachers’ employer will require close to Sh1.2 billion in the 2020/2021 financial year to recruit the teachers so as to close the teething staff shortages experienced in public schools.
She said part of the money will be required to recruit 10,000 more teachers on internship. There are currently over 10,000 intern teachers who were recruited during the 2019/ 2020 financial year.
This comes as the commission reports that the country is facing a shortage of about 50,000 teachers. A situation that has greatly overburdened the available tutors. According to Dr. Macharia, primary schools require 48,173 more teachers to address the shortage. There are 211,046 primary school teachers currently out of the required number of 259,219.
Garissa, West Pokot, Wajir and Narok counties headline the list of counties with the highest staff shortages. A closer look at this list shows that most of these areas are largely hardship areas.
Nairobi, Kirinyaga, Laikipia, Uasin Gishu, Nyeri, Nyandarua, Murang’a, Meru, Isiolo, Elgeyo Marakwet, Embu and Kiambu counties are more comfortable in terms of meeting their staffing needs.
The commission is at the same time seeking about Sh500 million to be used by its field operations to facilitate its officers.
“Field officers play a key role in ensuring maintenance of teaching standards through regular monitoring and quality assurance at the school level,” Dr. Macharia told Legislators this past Tuesday.
On his part, Education Cabinet Secretary says the ministry is in need of Sh429 million to mitigate the effects of covid-19 in the sector. Prof. Magoha says part of the funds will be utilize in buying sanitizers, soaps, masks and carry out covid-19 tests for staff and students in the various Technical and Vocational Education and Training, TVET, institutions in the country.
The CS, while appearing before the National Assembly’s Education Committee on Tuesday, sought for an additional Sh6.6 billion shillings. Of this amount, Sh3.8 billion will be used in catering for needs of the projected 300,000 new numbers of TVET students. There are currently 173,000 students studying in the TVETS countrywide. The remaining Sh2.8 billion is to be directed towards recruitment of an additional 3,674 TVBETs tutors.
The National Covid-19 Education Response Committee is racing against time to come up with proposals on the Kenyan academic calendar and schools’ reopening. The committee’s chairperson Sarah Ruto has invited all stakeholders and the public to submit their views on the best possible practices in returning the education sector to normalcy.
The general public has up to May 22, 2020 to submit their proposals to the committee.
“Pursuant to article 10 (1) and (2) of the constitution and section 4(I) of the Basic Education Act, No. 14 of 2013, the committee now invites all stakeholders and the public to submit their views on the best possible national response (on how to address the current crisis created by the covid-19 pandemic),” says Dr Sara Ruto, the committee’s chairperson, via a memoranda.
The committee is seeking input on how to safely execute the reopening of Basic education institutions. These institutions, that were closed indefinitely in mid-March, include Pre-primary, primary, secondary schools and Teacher Training Colleges.
The committee also expects submissions on how to reorganize the school calendar and give views on the fate of boarding schools. Input is also required on the possible health measures that should be put in place for the learners and teachers to curb spread of the virus in schools once they reopen.
The National COVID-19 Committee now invites all stakeholders and the public to submit their views on the best possible national response in line with the committee’s terms of reference for the basic education sub-sector
Wondering how to make your contribution? Kenyans wishing to make a contribution are at liberty to do so by sending a written memoranda to the Secretariat. This can be done via e-mail to covid19erc@kicd.ac.ke or through the postal office by using the address P.O. Box 30231-00100, Nairobi.
already some citizens have turned to social media platforms to air their views. But, this may not bear much fruits as the committee will only consider suggestions shared via the official email and postal addresses.
The Dr. Sara Ruto-led committee is faced with the daunting task of address such concerns as how social distancing would be achieved in the already overcrowded public schools.
Education Cabinet Secretary Professor George Magoha has said schools should be reopened this year as opposed to January next year, 2021. The CS said this while appearing before the Departmental Committee on Education, today, for a status update on Measures for safe reopening of schools amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
“We have to ask ourselves what will be different in January 2021, if there won’t be much difference, we need to move towards a consensus to reopen schools as soon as possible… I cannot give you a definite date, but I can assure you that it is Time to Reopen Learning Institutions, because we do not expect any much difference now.” He told the Legislators.
But, Magoha was quick to point out that it is only the Ministry of Health that will give him a clean bill of health before reopening primary and secondary schools.
“Reopening of all learning institutions should take cognizance of the guiding principles provided by Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Education… Decisions regarding reopening of learning institutions may change as informed by prevailing circumstances and increased knowledge of the COVID-19.” He added.
According to CS Magoha, the minimum reopening conditions as set by the Ministry of Health. He says reducing contact in learning institutions by having fewer learners at the same time will have a great impact in reducing COVID-19 cases and fatalities associated with reopening of institutions. At the same time, social distancing, hand-washing with soap or use of sanitizers, wearing of masks / face shields and monitoring body temperature will have a great impact on reducing COVID-19 infections.
Magoha’s pronouncement, on Wednesday, came a day after he announced a phased reopening approach to institutions of higher learning; with priority given to finalists.
“Reopening of learning institutions should prioritise finalists and examination cohorts in Universities,Teacher Training Colleges and TVET institutions. For schools, reopening should prioritize candidate classes (Standard 8 and Form 4) and the pioneer Competency Based Curriculum (CBC) cohort (Grade 4) to facilitate smooth transition.” Magoha explained.
Education CS Prof. George Magoha makes a point before the Departmental Committee on Education on Wednesday for a status update on Measures for safe reopening of schools amid COVID-19, a petition on delayed payment of suppliers by Secondary Schools, and to respond to questions by MPs.
During his address to the Nation on Monday, President Uhuru Kenyatta warned against rushed reopening of basic learning institutions saying the safety of learners whould be given priority.
Teachers have at the same been told to continue reporting for duty and ensure their schools are ready to receive learners once the opening dates are announced.
The Teachers Service Commission, TSC, has instructed school heads and principals to update all teachers’ details in both the Teachers Management Information System (TMIS) and Teacher Performance Appraisal Development (TPAD) systems. This is supposed to be done by close of Business on Friday October 2, 2020.
Education Cabinet Secretary Professor George Magoha has said schools will remain open for class 8, form 4 and grade 4 learners. This is despite the rising numbers of new corona virus disease cases being recorded lately.
The CS who was speaking in Kakamega County on Friday when he visited schools in the area to assess supply of desks under the locally Assembled desk for schools stimulus project by the Government.
He said the few recorded cases are manageable and each of them will be dealt with independently.
But even as CS Magoha put up a brave face on Friday, the biggest worry is the realization that the disease is slowly finding its way into schools; as learners and teachers fall victim. Already, a teacher at Kiambu County has succumbed to the disease. Two schools in Mombasa County have since been closed after recorded cases of covid 19. Star of the Sea and Tononoka high schools were shut on Monday with learners and teachers told to stay away for two weeks.
Parents at Star of the Sea High School were told that school operations would resume on November 2; after measures to curb spread of the disease have been put in place.
“This is to inform you that school operations have been suspended from today, Monday October 19, to allow fumigation. Normal operations will resume on November, 2.” Read a memo by the school dispatched to parents.
A teacher at Mama Ngina Primary School in Kiambu County succumbed as a result of covid19 related complications; with those said to have come into close contact with the teacher sent into isolation. St. Peters Mumias Boys High School in Kakamega County also joins the list of schools that have recorded cases of Covid19.
“We have had small pockets of outbreaks in places such as Mombasa, which have necessitated certain actions, for example the closure of schools for two weeks, but we are happy nothing serious has happened,” Magoha explained.
“We are happy that we reopened schools for three million of our children in Grade Four, Standard Eight and Form Four. We are also very happy to announce that nothing major has happened that can shake our resolve.” He added.
Education CS Professor George Magoha (right) at Mukambi Primary School in Kakamega County on Friday. He was on a tour to assess supply of desks under the locally Assembled desk for schools stimulus project.
Magoha said learners in grade 1-3, class 5-7 and form 1-3 will continue remaining at home as the government assess the situation in schools; adding that his Ministry had not stated the exact reopening dates for these learners.
“That date of October 26 belonged to the media. What we said is that we were going to monitor how everything is going and shall make an announcement in consultation with the Interior and Health ministries.” He clarified.
“We are auditing processes that took place over the last two weeks. Any decision to be made will be based on facts. Nobody is thinking of closing schools again and nobody is thinking of rushing to reopen the others.” Further said CS Magoha.
But, it is clearly evident that plans to fully reopen schools will further be hampered by inadequate infrastructure in most schools. On Thursday, Education Chief Administrative Secretary Zack Kinuthia said there will be no rushed reopening of schools for the remaining learners.
“The health of our children is paramount. We believe schools are able to control the Grade 4, Standard 8 and Form 4 learners but the rest of the children may have to wait a little longer.” Said Kinuthia, on Thursday.
