This archive report was first published on 12 May 2020.
On May 12, 2020, the Kenyan government took a crucial step towards re-opening schools by forming a 9-member COVID-19 Education Response Committee. The committee, unveiled by Education Cabinet Secretary Prof. George Magoha, will be chaired by Dr. Sarah Ruto, chairperson of the Kenya Institute for Curriculum Development.
The committee's formation comes in response to anxiety from parents and learners across the country. The government had initially planned to re-open schools on May 4, 2020, but extended the reopening date by a month to allow for a more effective national response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
According to Magoha, the committee will advise on nine key areas, including reviewing and reorganizing the school calendar as part of the post-COVID-19 recovery strategy. The committee will also be responsible for identifying institutions that may have been adversely affected by COVID-19 and advising on mitigation and recovery measures.
Kenya closed schools in mid-March after the confirmation of positive COVID-19 cases in the country. The committee will submit regular reports to the CS on the implementation progress of COVID-19 related programmes.
