Pre-Primary, Primary, and Secondary schools in Kenya will reopen in January, Education CS George Magoha has revealed.
No KCSE, No KCPE in 2020
Speaking at KICD Nairobi, CS Magoha said that there will be no KCPE or KCSE this year.
On its Twitter Account, the Education Ministry stated that that learners will remain in their current classes once the schools reopen in January.
This announcement comes after Magoha held a series of consultations with stakeholders in the Ministries of Health and Education.
Social Distancing is Key to Reopening of Schools Decision
The CS suggested that schools should not reopen until the number of Covid-19 cases have reduced consistently for at least 14 days.
He postulated that social distancing is the best alternative so far in addressing the disease. Thus, reopening schools would undermine social distancing and increase the risks of spread of the disease among learners.
Reopening of Universities and Colleges in Kenya
Regarding universities and colleges, George Magoha suggests that their reopening will only occur if the institutions comply with the requirements of the ministry.
There will be an inspection in institutions of higher learning to determine their preparedness for learning and reopening of schools in Kenya.
President Uhuru Kenyatta Opens up the Country
Uhuru had opened up Mombasa and Nairobi which were under lockdown for two months, while the cases of Covid-19 keep rising.
Speaking about the state of the nation on Monday, President Uhuru Kenyatta had directed the Ministry of Education to announce plans and dates for school reopening in Kenya not later than this week.
Following the directive, Education CS George Magoha moved swiftly to announce the new dates for school reopening.
Views on Reopening of Schools in Kenya
There are mixed reactions regarding this issue. Many people are wondering how all students will repeat a class.
Nonetheless, we are living in a critical period of a pandemic, and in such circumstances we have limited choices.
After all, the lives and health of children are more important than the loss of one year of education.
Choices have consequences, and extraordinary situations call for peculiar measures.
