This archive report was first published on 23 May 2020.
As the COVID-19 pandemic continues to spread in Kenya, headteachers are warning against a rush to reopen schools, citing concerns over the safety of students and staff.
According to Nicholas Gathemia, the chairperson of the Kenya Primary School Heads Association, the decision to reopen schools should be well-informed by data from the Ministry of Health and other government agencies.
Mr. Gathemia, who made the remarks during a presentation to the Covid-19 Education Response Committee chaired by Dr. Sara Ruto, emphasized that schools should not reopen until the virus is fully eradicated or brought under control in the country.
He pointed out that classrooms in public schools are often congested, with up to 110 pupils in a single class, making it difficult to observe social distancing measures.
Mr. Gathemia also highlighted the need for schools to be fumigated, for parents and pupils to be sensitized on their roles in keeping safe, and for measures to be put in place to ensure that teachers who may have traveled to their hometowns can report to duty.
He also emphasized the need for schools to be fenced, with a single entry point, and for adequate soap, water, and sanitizers to be available.
However, the Kenya Women Teachers Association (Kewota) has called for schools to reopen in July, with a 90-day allowance for the government to put in place health and safety measures.
The association also suggested that the school calendar be adjusted to fit the needs of learners, with policies established to protect staff, teachers, and students who are at high risk due to age or underlying medical conditions.
On Friday, the taskforce collected views from various stakeholders across the country, with the 10-member team chaired by Dr. Sara Ruto expected to explore ways to restore normalcy in the basic education sector's academic calendar.
The team will advise the Cabinet Secretary on ways of on-boarding students or pupils when the schools re-open, as well as document all Covid-19 related matters, lessons learnt, and recommendations for future preparedness.
