New recommendations push schools’ re-opening to 2021 over COVID-19

The planned re-opening of primary and secondary schools has been deferred.

The new recommendation presented to the president proposes to have schools re-open in January 2021.

The new dates endorsed by all stakeholders including unions within the Education sector, is informed by projected peak for COVID-19 in the month of September.

Teacher Training colleges, Technical colleges and Universities could however resume in September.

A series of meetings comprising Health Officials, and Education sector players have agreed to push the Education calendar to January 2021.

The position has been endorsed by all the teachers’ unions.

The new proposal which now awaits President Uhuru Kenyatta’s approval, means that all learners in Primary and Secondary schools could repeat their current classes next year.

The exams previously scheduled for March have now been pushed to mid-August or end of 2021

Prof. George Magoha, CS Education says that schools will only be re-opened once the new coronavirus curve is flattened.

Teachers will be expected to report to their schools two weeks before the re-opening dates while candidates will be given priority during the re-opening.

At the same time, schools will have to learn in shifts with each learner getting provided with two masks.

Additionally, every classroom will require not more than 20 learners seated a distance of 1.5 meters apart.

“What will determine if we reopen is if we can maintain the social distancing.But now the peak will be in September and taper in January.” Prof Magoha added.

However, Tertiary institutions, universities, Teacher Training Colleges and TVETS will likely re-open in October in phases.

The re-opening will depend on among other factors, the institution meeting the Ministry of Health guidelines and recommended protocols.

The special meeting’s deliberations also advised on Tertiary institutions embracing online learning as well as online graduation ceremonies.