This archive report was first published on 7 July 2020.
On Tuesday, July 7, 2020, Kenya's Education Cabinet Secretary George Magoha announced that national examinations would not take place this year due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
Magoha stated that the school calendar had been rendered lost, and as a result, Standard Eight and Form Four students who were to sit the exams this year would do so in 2021.
He also announced that all basic learning institutions would reopen in January 2021, when the virus curve is expected to have flattened.
Magoha emphasized that the Ministry of Education would issue a comprehensive circular on the reopening dates, while the Kenya National Examinations Council (Knec) would issue revised examination timetables.
He noted that all students would therefore repeat their classes.
Magoha further stated that the Ministry of Education would enhance remote learning and explore innovative approaches to promote equity.
Technical and vocational education and training (Tvet) institutions as well as colleges would reopen in September, but only with strict adherence to the Ministry of Health's guidelines for containing the virus.
Universities would be allowed to re-open if they meet all the requirements set by the Ministry of Health, and they must be inspected. Members of staff must agree on how they will do a phased reopening.
Magoha added that the decisions apply to all learners, including those in schools offering International curricula.
He also stated that the decisions would be reviewed if the daily count of Covid-19 cases reduces within 14 days.
Magoha emphasized that face-to-face learning in universities would take place on a case by case basis and in line with compliance with Covid-19 protocols.
He also stated that universities should continue holding virtual learning and graduations for students who have successfully completed their programmes and met graduation requirements set by their respective senates.
Magoha's announcements came a day after President Uhuru Kenyatta lifted the cessation of movement order that affected counties considered coronavirus hotspots.
The move is considered risky as the daily Covid-19 statistics for the last few days have been alarming.
