This archive report was first published on 18 May 2020.
Published on May 18, 2020, a study by Usawa Agenda found that 80% of students in Kenya were missing out on virtual classes set up following the closure of learning institutions due to the coronavirus pandemic.
The survey, which interviewed 3,700 household heads in 255 villages across 42 counties, revealed that only 22% of students were accessing online learning resources. Notably, students enrolled in private schools were twice as likely to participate in digital learning compared to their counterparts in public schools.
According to the report, less than 10% of learners in public schools were accessing digital learning materials. Furthermore, two out of ten parents were unaware that their children were expected to continue learning from home.
The research also showed that nine out of ten school heads estimated that less than 30% of their schools had measures in place to reach children with learning materials. Similarly, six out of ten School Heads Association officials estimated that less than 10% of public schools had measures in place to reach children with learning materials.
Responding to the findings, the government has formed a nine-member COVID-19 response committee to advise the Ministry of Education on modalities of reopening schools. The committee, chaired by Dr. Sara Ruto, is expected to advise on reviewing and reorganizing the school calendar as part of the post-COVID-19 recovery strategy.
