CS George Magoha has now put possible reopening of public schools this coming November. The CS said following the Covid-19 trend it is likely public schools will reopen by November for KCPE and KCSE classes to sit for the exams. This follows after his recent comment that reopening of schools date is not cast on stone. However the CS said this will only happen if public schools put the required standards to protect the children from contacting the coronavirus.
In order to prepare schools for the resumption of learning, the ministry also said will on Monday, September 7, roll out training of school heads in basic and higher learning on Covid-19 health guidelines. Already regional County and Sub County education directors have undergone the training that kicked off on Monday, August 31.
Magoha lauded the progress made by some learning institutions saying that a good number of them were on course with the preparations.
“About 50 per cent of the institutions are on a trajectory towards reopening. What has annoyed me is that this is the sixth week, yet we have to keep on saying the same things over and over. Once we are ready we will allow the students to sit their exams,” he said.
However yesterday while speaking at Nyeri Polytechnic the CS said Eldoret, Rift valley and Nyeri polytechnics are some of the institutions which have met most of the required guidelines. He 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 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.
The conditions set to be met by schools include ensuring adequate clean running water and sanitisation facilities in the institutions to mitigate the spread of the deadly virus.
In addition, schools are required to purchase liquid soaps, non-contact thermometers, disinfectants, facemasks and first aid kits.
Learners below nine years of age will be required to be accompanied by class teachers upon arrival at school gates and escorted back when leaving.
Co-curricular activities such as games, drama, music, sports, inter institution competitions or any other events that could lead to crowding have been temporarily banned.
Schools will be required to refurbish washrooms and bathrooms to ease congestion that can pose a threat to students.
A Covid-19 response committee not exceeding five members and including one learner and a non-teaching staff member will also be established by schools.
Two weeks ago the ministry of education said kshs Sh15.4 billion had been released to enable public schools prepare for reopening in January.
Of these, Sh13.3 the ministry said will go towards arrangements for social distance, hand washing and purchase of thermo-guns in schools while Sh2.2 billion will pay salaries of teachers employed by the Boards of Management (BoM) and non-teaching staff, such as watchmen.