This archive report was first published on 8 July 2020.
On July 8, 2020, Education Cabinet Secretary George Magoha announced the postponement of the reopening of schools in Kenya, initially set for September, to January 2021.
Magoha cited the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, including the need for social distancing, which he said would not be feasible in primary and secondary schools.
As a result, the CS declared that the academic year 2020 would be cancelled, rendering it a wasted year.
Magoha also announced that there would be no KCPE and KCSE exams in 2021, citing the impossibility of covering the curriculum load in one year.
He explained that the number of teachers required would increase due to the need for split classes, particularly in Form One, where 11 compulsory subjects would necessitate the employment of more teachers.
On Wednesday, Magoha directed schools to refund second and third term fees paid by parents, while also allowing schools and parents to agree on using the paid fees to cover the next terms when schools reopen in January.
