This archive report was first published on 26 July 2021.
On May 8, 2021, parents bought books for their children at Vaghela Bookshop in Kakamega, a scene that would soon become a reality for millions of Kenyan children.
As the new academic year begins, the Kenyan government has announced that all 15 million children are expected to report to schools for the first term, starting today. The term will last 10 weeks under the revised calendar.
Grade Four pupils transitioning to Grade Five and Standard Eight leavers joining Form One will join the rest of the learners, who have been home for an entire school term due to the pandemic.
However, the reopening of schools comes at a time when Covid-19 infections are expected to peak this month, with only 85,000 teachers fully vaccinated, representing just 25% of the targeted 330,671 teachers.
Education Cabinet Secretary George Magoha has expressed confidence in the nation's ability to navigate the challenges of reopening schools, saying, “We are going into another journey that is unknown. If we have faith as a nation and as a people, we have nothing to worry about. God will be in control of the process.”
Despite the government's efforts to prepare schools for reopening, primary and secondary school heads have expressed concerns over the lack of funding to make schools ready for learners. By the end of last week, the government had yet to send money to schools to begin the new academic year, with only Sh6.6 billion, which was capitation due for the third term in the last academic year, having been sent to schools.
Ministry of Education insiders said the money would help teachers prepare to receive learners, but school heads argued that the disbursement would be used to pay debts, as the money released late last week was meant to cover last term.
Prof Magoha announced a deliberate decision to reduce fees payable this academic year after it emerged that the reorganised calendar would be nine weeks shorter. “All national schools will pay fees less Sh8,500 as other categories of schools pay Sh5,500 less,” he said.
Basic Education PS Jwan Julius revealed that the ministry had already made a Sh20.5 billion requisition for primary and secondary schools, with Sh14.5 billion catering for secondary schools and the remaining Sh6 billion for primary schools.
Parents have expressed concerns over possible coronavirus infections among learners, with the National Parents' Association chair, Nicholas Maiyo, requesting the government to put adequate measures in place to ensure Covid-19 protocols are adhered to for the sake of the children.
The Teachers Service Commission (TSC) has announced that the ongoing recruitment will be fast-tracked, with successful candidates deployed to schools immediately. Dr Nancy Macharia, the TSC Chief Executive, said, “The 8,914 teachers being recruited are to start work immediately. And after that, we shall hire another 6,000 additional interns to address the shortage.”
