This archive report was first published on 26 April 2020.
As the country continues to grapple with the COVID-19 pandemic, the Kenyan government has announced a one-month extension of school closure, affecting over 15 million learners.
Education Cabinet Secretary George Magoha made the announcement on Sunday, citing the need to prioritize the safety and lives of children.
President Uhuru Kenyatta had earlier extended the cessation of movement into and out of counties with high incidences of COVID-19 by a further 21 days.
Magoha emphasized that the extension is meant to allow the country to heal from the spread of the disease, adding that schools will likely open in June.
Despite the disruption to the school calendar, national examinations are still on schedule, with the Kenya Certificate of Primary Education (KCPE) examination set to start on November 2 and end on November 3.
Meanwhile, the Kenya Institute of Curriculum Development has stepped in to offer radio and TV lessons, while also providing more learning materials on the Kenya Education Cloud.
Some private schools have also organized online classes for their learners, with many announcing that the virtual schools will open next week.
Teachers unions have called for schools to be safe for students and well-prepared to combat the spread of COVID-19 before re-opening.
