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Schools’ reopening: Present your opinion today

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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.

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How to submit your opinion.

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.

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Let us reopen schools in October and not January 2021- CS Magoha tells MPS

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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.

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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.

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Education Cabinet Secretary Professor Magoha issues important updates on schools

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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.

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