This archive report was first published on 24 June 2020.
Published on June 24, 2020, Education Cabinet Secretary Prof. George Magoha has expressed concerns about social distancing in schools ahead of the planned September re-opening amidst the COVID-19 pandemic.
Speaking during a tour of the Kitui County Textile Centre (KICOTEC), Prof. Magoha acknowledged that the existing infrastructure in public schools across the country would make it difficult to accommodate between 15 and 20 learners per classroom as proposed by the Education Ministry.
"You and I know that infrastructure is a serious challenge in this country. That is why we are committed to ensure that every learner gets at least two high-quality facemasks to be worn at all times so as to protect them from coronavirus," he announced.
Prof. Magoha also announced that teachers would be required to report two weeks prior to the planned reopening for specialized training on managing COVID-19 cases in schools.
The government plans to procure 24 million face masks from government institutions, including Rivatex, Kicotec, and the National Youth Service (NYS), for school children ahead of the September re-opening.
Prof. Magoha stated that the Ministry was assessing the capacity of government-owned institutions to deliver the masks ahead of the re-opening, according to the agreed prototype safe for children's usage.
"The government is looking at its facilities in order to fast-track the production of face masks. The single prototype mask developed by the Ministry of Education and Ministry of Health has crafted four sizes for school-going children," he said.
