Education CS Prof. George Magoha today toured Meru and Nyeri county to inspect National Polytechnics in readiness to reopening the Institutions amid Covid-19 Pandemic.
However Prof. Magoha have only given three polytechinics a green light to reopen after meeting most of the required protocols.
The CS said there are at least three polytechnics which are lined up for reopening after spending well the monies allocated for preparations in line with Covid-19 health guidelines.
Speaking while at Nyeri Polytechnic he said Eldoret, Rift valley and Nyeri polytechnics are some of the institutions which have met most of the required guidelines. However the CS said there are only a few things for the institutions to complete before getting official clearance in a weeks time.
“We now have at least three of them which are very clearly ready to be opened. Rift valley then we have Eldoret then this one (Nyeri Polytechnic). There are just a few things we meet then can be opened in a weeks time or so. From the gate upto dining halls, classrooms, boarding houses, toilets, water points you can measure actually how much money has been spent. The money has been well spent,” said Magoha.
In another tour CS Magoha expressed concern over the “pathetic” state of Sagana Technical Training Institute in Kirinyaga and warned that it may not re-open.
Prof Magoha accused management of failing to ensure cleanliness and repair dilapidated buildings.
“The institution is filthy and buildings have not been painted. The dusty floors lack tiles and the situation is pathetic,” he said.
He also noted that the institute sponsored by the Catholic Church has not put in place measures to curb Covid-19 yet is expects to re-open soon.
“The management has not established hand washing points. It also doesn’t have soaps and sanitisers for students,” he observed.
Prof Magoha directed local and national education officials to ensure changes at the institution.
“We don’t want to put our children at risk. The management should make sure classrooms are renovated and that the place is clean,” he said.
The minister said the government will supply desks to public schools at a cost of Sh1.9 billion before learning institutions reopen.
“We have an economic stimulus package for schools which will ensure learners are provided with standard desks for safe learning,” he said.
However the CS said for public primary and secondary school they are very far from meeting the required set conditions.
The fact that one full academic year is already lost for all the schools there no hurry in opening.A full academic year is awaiting for the pupils/student to cover their syllabus and do exams next year.No need for extra time in class.Remember pupils/students have been on zoon classes and they have covered quite some mileage.No need whatsoever for any hurry.Let us not risk our kids period. Colleges and universities we can give it a kick.
So who should take responsibility if not he, the CS. He should be called out – he is arrogant, haphazard and a super micromanager. He is not suitable for CS End ducation position. Instead of providing leadership, and empowering his field/ground officers, he is busy moving up and down admonishing and dressing them down in public. Why couldn’t he call for resources from the government (like has happened with “Kazi Mtaani”), to build extra classrooms and sanitation facilities, and then proudly go to commission them. He is behaving like a general who wants to operate at all levels (strategic, tactical, operationsl, and drinking) – this is recipe for chaos. In the meantime, time is moving and come January -he will spew more excuses.
Profound.
Magoha must learn to delegate.We have seen many like him who came before micromanage everyone without proper structures for them to be seen only for their dockets to collapse immediately they left. Kenyans must learn to have structures that will outlive them.It should not always be about individuals.
Let’s not rush in the reopening of schools because right to life is more important than life to education. The academic year is coming to an end and we have another year to go where we are assured that our children will be safe and everything would be normal .This does not make any sense when we take our children now and cases start arising in schools when we are targeting to lower them until we overcome it.The children will like to repeat more than risking their own lives.Even the children should be involved in making the decision because they know what goes on in schools.Some children will not like staying away from their friends while others will look down upon others because they will think that they have the disease. The schools should be opened when everything has gone back to normal
Profound.
Magoha must learn to delegate.We have seen many like him who came before micromanage everyone without proper structures for them to be seen only for their dockets to collapse immediately they left. Kenyans must learn to have structures that will outlive them.It should not always be about individuals.