This archive report was first published on 7 July 2020.
July 7, 2020 - The COVID-19 pandemic has led to a significant disruption in the Kenyan education system, with the Ministry of Education announcing that the 2020 academic year will be considered lost.
Education Cabinet Secretary Prof. George Magoha made the announcement in a press address at the Kenya Institute of Curriculum Development (KICD), stating that the decision was made after consulting with all industry stakeholders and considering COVID-19 mitigation measures.
According to Prof. Magoha, the stakeholders decided to shelve the initial plan to begin phased reopening in September 2020 due to concerns raised by parents about sending their children to school amidst the spike in coronavirus cases.
The CS also announced that the 2020 Standard 8 and Form 4 candidates will now sit their KCPE and KCSE examinations respectively later in the year 2021.
Additionally, Prof. Magoha stated that all learners in Grade 1 to 4 and Standard 5 to 7 as well as Form 1 to 3 in 2020 will remain in their current classes in 2021.
Teacher training colleges and TVET institutions will be allowed to reopen from September 2020, subject to strict adherence to the Ministry of Health COVID-19 protocols.
Universities were urged to consider phased reopening, but only upon achieving physical and social distancing in halls of residence, lecture rooms, and dining areas.
