This archive report was first published on 19 June 2020.
As the country grapples with the Covid-19 pandemic, Education officials are exploring innovative ways to ensure students resume learning while adhering to social distancing guidelines.
According to sources, the Education Cabinet Secretary George Magoha is studying various scenarios presented to him, including staggered learning, to reopen learning institutions in the next three months as directed by President Uhuru Kenyatta.
Under the proposed system, students would attend school in shifts, with some learners reporting in the morning and the rest in the afternoon. Another scenario involves students attending school for one uninterrupted week or month, with the rest of learners scheduled to report the following week/month.
Magoha emphasized that the decisions regarding the reopening of learning institutions may change as informed by prevailing circumstances and increased knowledge of the Covid-19 pandemic.
He revealed that the ministry is considering measures to reduce contact in learning institutions, including having fewer learners at the same time, to minimize the risk of infection.
Teachers will be expected to implement social distancing rules, handwashing with soap, use of hand sanitisers, wearing of masks or face shields, and monitoring temperatures to reduce the risk of infection.
Additionally, the Kenya National Union of Teachers has proposed that up to 400,000 teachers be hired to cater for the additional classes needed to effect the social distancing rule.
