All Education Ministry officers on leave recalled to prepare for reopening of schools

All Ministry of Education officers presently on leave have been recalled to prepare for the reopening of schools on January 4, 2021.

Education Principal Secretary Dr. Belio Kipsang – in a circular seen by Citizen Digital, said the directive is aimed at maximizing personnel in schools for the reopening exercise.

The PS also directed all regional, county and sub-county directors of education to develop synergy with the Teachers’ Service Commission (TSC) personnel to form a strong monitoring and response team.

“Work closely with the National Government Administrative Officers (NGAOs) – Regional County Commissioners, County Commissioners, Deputy County Commissioners, Assistant County Commissioners, Chiefs and Assistant Chiefs – to ensure children who fail to report to school are immediately traced and brought back to school,” PS Kipsang ordered the officials.

“Though social distancing will be a challenge, ensure strict adherence to the health and safety protocols and guidelines by schools. Intensify monitoring of the re-opening process.”

He further added: “Schools that have high enrolment should be kept on a 24-hour surveillance and regularly visited to guide the teachers on ways of improving health and safety.”

He also directed the regional, county and sub-county directors of education to maintain a mechanism of getting real-time information on what is happening in schools under their jurisdiction.

This, he stated, should be done by ensuring all principals and headteachers submit to the SCDE the list of students/pupils who report on a daily basis.