This archive report was first published on 18 June 2020.
Kenya's Education Cabinet Secretary, Prof George Magoha, has expressed concerns that schools may not reopen in September as previously announced, citing the rising number of COVID-19 infections in the country.
Speaking to the Senate Ad hoc team on COVID-19 on Thursday, Prof Magoha stated that the government is closely monitoring the situation and weighing options on whether to allow learners to resume classes.
Regarding the pending KCSE and KCPE examinations, Prof Magoha revealed that the national exams will be administered between September and April 2021. However, he noted that it would not be feasible to conduct the exams beyond April 2021, suggesting that the exams could be deferred to November 2021 if the situation does not allow examiners to administer them by April.
Prof Magoha emphasized that the decision to reopen schools in September would depend on the country's COVID-19 situation, stating, 'I think in two weeks we should be able to know whether if we open in September we can do exams sometimes in April next year.' He also acknowledged that the country is likely to experience a peak in COVID-19 cases around September-October, which would impact the decision to reopen schools.
Senators, led by Nairobi Senator Johnson Sakaja, advised the ministry to consider writing off the current academic year due to the COVID-19 disruptions. Sakaja asked, 'Won't it be more practical, because I know we have to keep giving home, instead of kicking the can down the road especially because of our candidate to some extent just rule out this year.'
Kenya has reported 4,044 cases of COVID-19, 107 fatalities, and 1,353 recoveries since March 13, when the first local case was announced.
