If the latest reports are anything to go by, then opening date for schools (which was initially projected to be January 2021) in Kenya, might just change. This is what observers are speculating, following the Education Cabinet Secretary; George Magoha’s National Assembly Education Committee address via a virtual meeting on the 6th of August 2020.
According to Kenyan Bell, George Magoha was hesitant when it came to confirming to the committee that schools will be reopened by January 2021.
The Education Cabinet Secretary emphasized that schools will only be open for learning, if the daily COVID-19 cases reduce over a period of 2 weeks or 14 consecutive days.
George Magoha said, “Decisions regarding reopening of learning institutions may change as informed by prevailing circumstances and increased knowledge of Covid-19. If we open in January and there is a surge, we will step down and observe the trends. People have tried to open, like South Africa, and have shut again.”
He also contested the carrying out of the National examinations (the Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) and the Kenya Certificate of Primary Education (KCPE)), stating that allowing teachers and students to resume this September might end up being very detrimental because the daily COVID-19 infections are projected to see an increase this October.
Kenyan Bell claims that Members of Parliament attempted to pressure the Education Cabinet Secretary into making sure the examinations are set based on what has been covered in schools’ syllabi.
George Magoha declined the proposal and made it known that the Kenya National Examination Council (KNEC) sets all examinations based on the syllabus coverage for eight (8) years and four (4) years for primary and secondary schools respectively.
The Education Cabinet Secretary based on the current measures provided by the Ministry of Health, asked schools to instead prepare for a January 2021 resumption at the earliest.
He added that, “The authority to reopen for learning and research will be informed by MoH and my ministry based on dynamics of preparedness.”
In addition, the Ministry of Education has provided funds that will be used to carry out the day to day activities of schools for the second term, third term, in addition to catering for the salaries of the teachers who are employed on Board of Management terms.
In addition to the Education Cabinet Secretary receiving funds for the renovating and upgrading of schools, the Treasury also provides 3,725 Kenyan Shillings per students.
The funds provided to George Magoha will be utilized in the hiring of more teachers and the construction of additional classrooms for secondary schools.
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