This archive report was first published on 26 June 2020.
On June 26, 2020, Education Cabinet Secretary Prof George Magoha announced that Technical and Vocational Education and Training institutions would reopen in September for the administration of exams.
Speaking after meeting with the institutions' principals in Kisumu, Prof Magoha stated that preparations were in place to have students write their examinations in shifts, following a thorough assessment of the TVETs' preparedness in combating the COVID-19 pandemic.
He noted that TVET institutions were better placed to implement social distancing measures, and directed the principals to get physicians from the Ministry of Health to guide them on what was required to combat the pandemic.
Prof Magoha emphasized that if the Principal Secretary and his team inspected the institutions and confirmed compliance with COVID-19 requirements, the class could be allowed to come in and take the examinations.
He also stated that learners in TVETs could attend lessons in shifts while adhering to social distancing, and that the government would work as if schools were opening on September 1, with TVET institutions having a better chance of survival in terms of social distancing.
However, Prof Magoha noted that social distancing would be a challenge in pre-primary, primary, and secondary schools when they reopened, but this would not deter the government from proceeding with its plans.
