This archive report was first published on 5 June 2020.
On Saturday, June 6, President Uhuru Kenyatta is expected to outline new Covid-19 measures, which will provide the way forward on the extended closure of schools. This comes as some of the main restrictions are set to expire this Saturday.
Education Cabinet Secretary Prof George Magoha spoke on Friday, after receiving the final report of the Covid-19 National Education Response Committee. He stated that the government will review the report before advising the country on the steps to be taken regarding the academic calendar and the level of preparedness required of all stakeholders involved in the running of ECD centres, primary and secondary schools, and teacher training institutions.
According to Prof Magoha, all decisions will be made based on data and evidence provided by the Ministry of Health. The Ministry will take seriously the recommendations of the committee and use them to set up further dialogue with all other stakeholders.
Published on June 5, 2020, the report by the Sarah Ruto-led committee provides guidelines on the re-opening of primary and secondary schools, colleges, and universities. The committee had previously recommended that schools be reopened in September.
Prof Magoha also addressed concerns about the safety of learners during the closure. He reprimanded parents and guardians for not providing sufficient care of their children while at home, citing reports of four Form One girls becoming pregnant since the schools were closed in March 2020.
He warned parents, guardians, and caregivers to firmly take charge of the custody of their children while at home and protect them from sexual and drug abuse, teenage pregnancies, female genital cutting, and child labour. The CS has directed that all offenses against learners be reported to the National Government Administration Officers and Directorate of Criminal Investigations as directed.
