This archive report was first published on 11 July 2020.
As the Covid-19 pandemic forces schools to remain closed for the rest of the year, Education Cabinet Secretary Prof. George Magoha has urged parents and teachers to take the initiative and engage children academically at home.
Prof. Magoha, who was on an inspection tour of Tambach Teachers Training College, emphasized that learning has not stopped just because children are not physically in school. He encouraged teachers to continue teaching, as long as social distancing is observed, to ensure that children do not fall behind in their studies.
"It is essential that we ensure children are engaged even if they are not in school," Prof. Magoha said, highlighting the importance of continued learning during this challenging time.
Prof. Magoha was accompanied by Principal Secretary Belio Kipsang, who echoed the CS's sentiments and called on all education collaborators to continue providing e-learning support to ensure that no child is disadvantaged.
Regarding the reopening of schools, Prof. Magoha stated that the government would require millions to prepare schools before they reopen, with a focus on reconstructing schools that were destroyed by floods, such as Liter girls' secondary school in Marakwet East.
On the issue of refunding school fees for parents in public schools who had paid for the second and third term in advance, Prof. Magoha advised that if head teachers had used part of the money, they would need to explain to the Parents' Association and seek a way forward.
Prof. Magoha also appealed to private school owners to consider the financial situation of their teachers and not to look for major profits, so that they could pay their teachers.
By Alice Wanjiru, published on July 11, 2020.
