More learners may be recalled to return to schools as early as next week, as the government implements the phased reopening plan.
The Standard has established that a critical decision has been made to open schools for a few more classes in primary and secondary institutions.
Education Cabinet Secretary George Magoha yesterday hinted at the move but said that due process of calling stakeholders to ratify the decision would be followed for collective responsibility purposes.
“It shall be a very well informed decision that may have consequences, but then everybody will be responsible for those consequences,” said Prof Magoha.
He said President Uhuru Kenyatta would chair a national consultative meeting for governors and other critical stakeholders, which will kick-start consensus building on reopening for additional classes.
“There is consultation at every level of government and as you are aware President Uhuru Kenyatta will engage governors and other stakeholders on November 4,” said Magoha.
An Education sector stakeholders meeting will then be convened to refine and agree on which classes may reopen and when they shall start classes.
“We shall then decide when to call our own internal stakeholders so that we make a decision for children who are at home,” said Magoha.
Magoha spoke after assessing learning and delivery of desks for schools at Mukuru Primary School in Mukuru Kayaba, Nairobi.
Laying the ground for the reopening plans for the rest of classes, Magoha said most parents had endorsed reopening of schools.
“Majority of parents are saying can we have the other children at school because there are others who are there,” said Magoha.
This came as the United Nations Children’s Fund (Unicef) and Amref Health Africa weighed in, supporting reopening schools for the rest of learners.
A joint statement by Unicef Kenya Representative Maniza Zaman and Dr Githinji Gitahi, Group CEO of Amref Health Africa, says as the government considers further reopening of schools, they will weigh the risks and benefits of such a measure.
“Based on all available evidence, that the risks to children of being out of school are much higher than the risks they encounter in schools, it is important to remember that closing schools does not take children out of contact with each other and with adults,” reads the statement.
The two officials argued that keeping children from school takes them out of a protective school environment, in which their interactions can be controlled.
“This is why we are supportive of the government’s phased reopening of schools – it allows schools to open with lower numbers of children and gives them time to increase the numbers as they learn how to manage safety and mitigate risks.” The view is supported by Private Schools Association, which said children were safer in schools than at home.
“The greatest infections are now in homes and not in schools because while in the institutions we take care and ensure the children comply. The best place for children to be now is in school under watchful eyes of teachers,” said Mutheu Kasanga, Private Schools Association chair. National Parents Association Chairperson Nicholas Maiyo yesterday said their stand on reopening schools stood.
“We said once virus infections hit below 5 per cent, we shall accept to bring our children to schools. But we shall listen to the proposals during the stakeholders meeting if we shall be invited,” said Mr Maiyo.
Magoha yesterday said children in schools would continue undertaking their lessons and ruled out shutting the institutions.
“We have decided, as government, that for now, children who are in school should continue being there because life must continue as long as we obey protocols that have been given,” said Magoha.
“Children in school are all masked. They are better and safer at school and that is a very strong point that we shall continue to keep them in school,” said Magoha.
Secondary school heads, however, called on the teachers’ employer to enhance the medical scheme to cover pandemics such as Covid 19.
“We have come to realise that we are not covered during pandemics and as frontline workers we want the scheme cover enhanced,” said Kahi Indimuli, Kenya Secondary School Heads Association national chair.
I am worried about the teachers who go around the bars drinking especially during the weekends since the bars are now open and then come back to our children, how can that be handled ?
What will you say about Barmaiths who have children in school? Stop talking negative to teacher’s who antlers the future lives of your children.
What about the parents who do the same?
It is absurd that teachers aren’t covered for pandemic and are interacting with children from diverse homes.
I didn’t hear any students get infected by the virus when they were at home but now childrens are affected but magoha insists of not closing school until January
why because they want the virus to be there for year so that they can eat money the kenyans
What guarantee do you have that the pandemic will be over in January, or say next year, no body knows the validation of a plague except God the Almighty, support children go to school as I have a candidate who goes to school but she is far watchful than ever, the pandemic has even taught children to be watchful of every human being
It did affect children. The problem is that it a social ground
and these are children they want to interact and do all soughts of things together so it will be hard to curb the spread in schools but it would also be risky to close schools because will gave mass infections. You saying that they want the virus to be hear for a year it can even go for 3yrs its not them to decide when the virus is to be eradicate. So this virus is not a monetary chance its here as most of the people perceive. The opening of school is critical but it shouldnt be hastened it should be reviewed keenly. And the children must also be educated on the awareness of the virus. That is my view
Forgive me for the grammatical errors. I didnt get the time to go through it bear with me.
The only problem is the monster in the teachers
Does it mean that there are no students who go back home from school, getting the virus on the way. Which safe are they?
It the teachers are not safe that means our kids are in danger. We parents will do everything to protect our kids but what is the government doing to protect our teachers??. Yesterday I was in a meeting in one of the secondary schools in kitale and the teachers were asking parents to pay a lot of money and yet the government said they will pay for them. My fellow parents please be careful with your kids mostly the young ones ju hata hawajui what social distance is n mask ziezi kaa Kwa mdomo Sana.
What about the parents who do the same?
Please clarify
Yes do because if January comes and the covid 19 infection numbers are still high what will happen. Does it mean that children continue staying at home?
What guarantee do you have that the pandemic will be over in January, or say next year, no body knows the validation of a plague except God the Almighty, support children go to school as I have a candidate who goes to school but she is far watchful than ever, the pandemic has even taught children to be watchful of every human being
How can we be sure of our children’s are safe teachersmoves around how please let us not risks our children
I think Magoha should visit even those schools in the village where wearing of mask is a story children don’t have mask due to challenges of finance. then let’s not run to opening whenever we hear of money by UNICEF this will lead to hyenas opening their stomachs to feed them.
True.Magoha should visit schools in the village to be sure that children are keeping the distance and wearing masks
They want to open schools so they can campaign stress free for their BBI cause they know Kenyans are questioning about their public gatherings so they are just using this issue of opening schools as a defense mechanism so they too can campaign for their BBI so they can sail through and get the positions they are eyeing for. Very selfish government
The biggest mistake.
Last week form 4 students and teachers tested +v for covid19
I don’t think it’s safe for the children to go back to school and the covid 19 cases are still rising