This archive report was first published on 7 July 2020.
On July 6, 2020, President Uhuru Kenyatta directed Education CS George Magoha to notify the public on the resumption of the 2020 Academic Calendar for Basic Education and Tertiary Institutions.
Magoha had earlier stipulated several directives to curb the spread of the virus in schools, including testing teachers for COVID-19 ahead of the resumption of studies, reporting to schools two weeks before the reopening date, and adhering to strict social distancing measures.
However, in a sudden turn of events, Magoha announced that the 2020 KCSE and KCPE exams would be suspended, with students set to sit for the exams in 2021.
Magoha stated that the decision was made in consultation with the Ministry of Health, stakeholders, and parents, with the aim of protecting learners and ensuring their safety.
Teachers Service Commission (TSC) CEO Nancy Macharia, Kenya Union of Post Primary Education Teachers (Kuppet) Secretary-General Akello Misori, and KNUT counterpart Wilson Sossion fully supported Magoha's decision, urging parents to ensure their children's safety until they resume learning.
The new calendar comes amid a backdrop of a back-and-forth decision by the CS on the reopening of schools, with Magoha having previously advised the President against reopening schools in September due to the spike in COVID-19 cases.
