George Magoha Issues New Directive On School Reopening

Education Cabinet Secretary George Magoha has issued a directive regarding the school reopening dates after President Uhuru Kenyatta suspended learning activities in the country.

According to Education PS Julius, they will analyze the Covid-19 pandemic at the end of April 2021 to ascertain whether students will resume classes or not.

The Ps added that the decision will be based on the information provided by the Ministry of Health officials and other education stakeholders. However, Health CS Mutahi Kagwe and his Education counterpart Magoha will make the final decision.

He said that they have enough time to make a well-informed conclusion. It will be good if teachers, whom they have prioritized, get vaccinated.

On Friday, March 26, President Uhuru Kenyatta locked down five counties of Nairobi, Kajiado, Machakos, Kiambu, and Nakuru to cut down on the spread of Covid-19 that has spiked across the country.

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President suspended all physical activities in schools’ institutions including universities and colleges. Only candidates will be allowed in school until further notice. The Head of State cautioned that the virus may flatten within 60 days, thus causing speculation on reopening dates and the academic calendar.

“With respect to Education in Kenya, there shall be the immediate suspension of all on-going physical learning in all our education institutions including universities and tertiary and vocational colleges, other than for candidates sitting for their examinations and those in medical training institutions, until otherwise notified,” said Kenyatta

“This wave is expected to peak in the next 30 days with more than 2,500 to 3,000 cases reported daily. Based on experience, this peak will flatten only by Mid-May 2021, which is about 60 days from now (March 26)

The decision to stop physical learning has come at a time when Kenyan doctors have warned about a third wave

This is the second time the president has suspended learning activities in Kenya. In March 2020 the President suspended learning in schools when the first case was reported.