More Learners To Return To School As Early As Next Week

Education Cabinet Secretary George Magoha has said that more learners might return to school as early as next week as the government implements the phased reopening plan.

CS Magoha has warned parents, teachers, education stakeholders, and the government to brace themselves for the consequences that may occur after schools are fully reopened.

The CS yesterday said that the 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,” CS Magoha said.

CS Magoha said he will meet President Uhuru Kenyatta on Wednesday, alongside other stakeholders to set the dates for the resumption of studies of all students.

The meeting will also be used to initiate a discussion on how to execute the mass return of students. Health CS Mutahi Kagwe approved the full resumption of studies despite the rise in Covid-19 cases.

“There is a consultation at every level of government and as you are aware President Uhuru Kenyatta will engage governors and other stakeholders on November 4^th,” CS Magoha said.

After meeting President Kenyatta, CS Magoha will then summon his ministry’s own internal stakeholders to deliberate on the decisions made before announcing the dates for the mass reopening of schools.

He stated that he has the full support of parents, adding that students were compliant with all health protocols issued to curb the spread of Covid-19. Magoha spoke after assessing the learning and delivery of desks for schools at Mukuru Primary School in Mukuru Kayaba, Nairobi.

This came as the United Nations Children’s Fund (Unicef) and Amref Health Africa weighed in, supporting reopening schools for the rest of the learners.

All schools were ready to allow all other students to join Grade 4, Class 8, and Form 4 students in school as they have complied with all measures set by the Ministry of Health according to Magoha.

“The majority of parents are saying we can have all other children at because others are there if you look at children in schools, they are wearing masks. When you go out of schools, you may see many people not taking precautions’ Magoha defended.

Yesterday, he said children in schools would continue undertaking their lessons and ruled out shutting the institutions.

He added that they 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.