This archive report was first published on 2 July 2020.
Kenya's Education sector has been forced to reconsider its plans for the re-opening of primary and secondary schools due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.
According to a new proposal presented to President Uhuru Kenyatta, schools are now expected to re-open in January 2021, rather than the previously planned date.
The decision was made after a series of meetings between Health Officials and Education sector players, who agreed to push the Education calendar to January 2021 in light of projected peak for COVID-19 in September.
Teacher Training colleges, Technical colleges, and Universities could, however, resume in September, with Tertiary institutions, universities, Teacher Training Colleges, and TVETS likely re-opening in October in phases.
Prof. George Magoha, CS Education, emphasized that schools will only be re-opened once the new coronavirus curve is flattened, with teachers expected to report to their schools two weeks before the re-opening dates.
Additionally, schools will have to learn in shifts, with each learner getting provided with two masks, and every classroom will require not more than 20 learners seated a distance of 1.5 meters apart.
Prof. Magoha noted that the re-opening will depend on among other factors, the institution meeting the Ministry of Health guidelines and recommended protocols.
Published on July 2, 2020
