Most Kenyans Support Reopening Of Churches But Not Schools

By Carlos Onyango / Published June 15, 2020 | 8:34 am

A new survey by Infotrak shows that most Kenyans are in support that the government should reopen the places of worship but are against the reopening of learning institutions.

According to Infotrak, 59 percent of respondents who participated in the survey said they expect the Government to come up with protocols to begin gradual reopening of the places of worship with the idea of reopening schools being given a second thought.

Most of the respondents who supported the reopening of the places of worship were from the urban areas at 64 percent while those who supported the idea from the rural areas were only 57 percent. The number of supporters was high at the Coast and the Western regions of Kenya.

Interior Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang’i together with his counterpart from the Ministry of Health CS Mutahi Kagwe has already put up an interdenominational council to come up with proper rules for reopening of worship places. The new Council is Chaired by Catholic Archbishop Anthony Muheria.

On the other hand, about 70 percent have opposed the reopening of schools with most of the parents in fear that kids are not as cautious as adults when it comes to interacting with others.

Children are likely to remove their masks now and again while flaunting the social distancing rule thus they require regular supervision from adults but considering the ratio of teachers to pupils in most Kenyan schools, supervision could be very challenging.

Infotrak survey revealed that 41 percent of respondents are in fear that the number of Covid-19 infections might spike among children if schools are reopened while 21 percent fear that children might contract the virus.

58 percent of the respondents said they had to ensure their kids are wearing masks while playing with others at home while 53 percent said they had to supervise their kids’ games to ensure they wear masks and also keep a social distance.

If schools are reopened, teachers will have the task to look after the children, and apparently, they will be overwhelmed because most schools have an unmanageable number of children.

The Education Ministry is expected to start gradual reopening of schools from September 1 while a new learning calendar should be ready by Mid-August 2020.