New guidelines by President Kenyatta ahead of school reopening

President Uhuru Kenyatta has today issued new orders as schools reopen. In his press release on Sunday, the President ordered all schools to reopen even as fears of spread of the Corona Virus Disease continue take root among patents.

To cushion aged teachers, Uhuru ordered that Teachers and other Staff who are aged 58 years or above, or who have pre-existing conditions, shall deliver on their duties through remote means or by holding their classes/lessons in open spaces with natural flow of air. The Teachers Service Commission, TSC, had earlier asked the teachers to work from home.

All schools shall ensure that they have adequate hand-washing stations corresponding to their student population, in line with the guidelines issued by the Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Education; schools experiencing water problems must ensure that there is adequate availability of hand sanitizers for both the students and the teachers.

No Co-curricular activities

To keep the virus away from schools Uhuru ordered that all non-essential visits to schools by parents and guardians are prohibited and should only be allowed in exceptional
circumstances – in fidelity with the guidelines issued by the Ministry of Education; with all visitors to schools being registered in the school records and being subject to all infection prevention protocols.

Also prohibited are all extra-curricular activities such as sports, drama, music
and prize giving days, involving more than one school. The activities remain suspended for the next 90 days. All exchange visits between schools shall remain prohibited for the same period.

Masks remain mandatory.

Masks will be mandatory in schools with the Head of State directing that Teachers and Students to wear appropriate face masks when on the school premises or within school transport, in addition to strictly applying hand-hygiene and physical spacing.

Principals and Headteachers of every school shall maintain a register of all sick pupils/students or teachers, and immediately inform the County Health Department of all instances of moderate to severe illness. County Health Departments are directed to carry out routine surveillance for COVID-19 and other public health problems in all schools; including random sampling of pupils, teachers, and ancillary staff.

See the full guidelines below;

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