REOPENING OF SCHOOLS

 

As it is the norm, the Kenyan academic year begins in January up to November. Due to the Covid-19 pandemic and its rising fears and numbers, this calendar was interrupted at around the end of March 2020. This applies to both public and private institutions all the way from Nursery schools to Tertiary institutions. It is now more than half of a year since the first Covid-19 case was confirmed in the country by the ministry of health, and schools are still closed with children having to remain at home.

 "The 2020 school calendar year will be considered lost due to Covid-19 restrictions", Mr. Magoha said, stating that the learners would retake a year as learning institutions had closed abruptly after 3 months into the calendar. However, after every briefing by the CS for education, Kenyans end up being even more confused than they previously were. This is because Prof. Magoha has never had a stand with a specific opening date whatsoever.

 Mr. Magoha initially ordered the provision of educational opportunity through online platforms and hinted on the final national exams being undertaken in October/November this year. Bearing this in mind, most students and pupils intensified their studies from home at the expense of their parents' sacrifice to facilitate all the requirements like smartphones and laptops. In a well-attended meeting later in July with Prof. Magoha as the chair, there emerged resolutions that the national examinations will be taken by KCPE and KCSE candidates in September next year. In this same meeting, they decided that Universities and colleges that will comply with the World Health Organization's Covid-19 regulations shall be allowed to resume early September 2020. This was also in vain since only a handful of universities and colleges have put those measures in place one month later.

Less than a week ago, all headlines were hit with news hinting early resumption, most probably before the end of October 2020. However, no preparations are underway in primary and secondary schools to expand spaces for social distancing and erection of handwashing points within the different schools. This is even more confusing since communication from top Education officials keeps signaling an early resumption of studies.

 

"We want more action and less meetings and briefings," said Busia Women REP, Mrs. Mutua. This statement was directed to the Ministry of Education to make them start working on the resumption of schools. Following the latest briefing on the resumption of schools by early October, funds approximating KShs. 1.6B has been disbursed, but the TSC is complaining that they haven't received anything yet. So, the question remains: are we really ready for the reopening of schools, or is the ministry of education just buying time and money through these void promises? As we leave that question unanswered, I guess we will have an answer sooner than later, especially now that the 'next reopening date' is up-close, either October 4th, 12th, or 19th depending on preparations (Oops! We are not even sure of the date yet). This phase will include classes seven and eight, in addition to forms three and four. The other levels of primary and secondary schools are scheduled to reopen on November 2nd (If all goes well). Universities and tertiary colleges have been permitted to reopen any time, and their schedule is reliant on the decision by their Senate Councils based on preparedness.