This archive report was first published on 21 May 2020.
As the COVID-19 pandemic worsens in Kenya, the Kenya Union of Post Primary Education Teachers (KUPPET) has proposed a partial reopening of schools by June 15th. The proposal was made before the National Education Emergency Response Committee, which was formed by Education Cabinet Secretary Prof. George Magoha to advise on modalities of reopening schools.
According to KUPPET's Deputy Secretary-General, Moses Nthurima, the final year students at universities and colleges should also be allowed back to classrooms. Nthurima emphasized that the re-opening of schools should be done subject to guidance by the Ministry of Health.
The Ministry of Health should assess how best the COVID-19 containment measures can be applied in schools for Form Four and Standard Eight students for at least one month and determine their efficacy, Nthurima said.
Prof. Magoha unveiled the 9-member Covid-19 Education Response Committee, chaired by Dr. Sarah Ruto, to advise on modalities of re-opening schools following anxiety from parents and learners across the country.
Kenya closed schools in mid-March after the confirmation of positive cases in the country.
