President Kenyatta says schools to reopen ‘gradually’ from September 1

President Uhuru Kenyatta on Saturday directed the Ministry of Education to facilitate the progressive re-opening of schools from September 1, 2020.

President Kenyatta spoke at State House in Nairobi where he announced that Kenya the COVID-19 infections in the country had hit 2,600 with 83 deaths, hence making it illogical to fully lift the restrictions and return the country to normal.

The Head of State also directed the Cabinet Secretary Prof. George Magoha-led ministry to announce the new school calendar by mid-August.

“I hereby direct that following stakeholder’s consultations in the education sector, the Ministry of Education jointly with the Ministry of Health issues and publicizes guidelines on a gradual and progressive return to normalcy in the education sector by the third term, from September 1, 2020,” he said.

CS Magoha last month appointed a 9-member committee to advise on how to restore normalcy in the Education sector in light of the far-reaching effects of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The committee will be holed at Kenya Institute of Curriculum Development and chaired by The Kenya Institute for Curriculum Development Chairperson Dr. Sarah Ruto.

The members of the committee include among others Indimuli Kahi (Chairman, Kenya Secondary Schools Heads Association), Nicholas Gathemia (Chairman, Kenya Primary Schools Heads Association), Peter Ndoro (CEO, Kenya Private Schools Association) and Nicholas Maiyo (Chairman, Kenya Parents Association).

The CS is also on record expressing optimism that the KCPE and KCSE exams will go on as planned, further asking parents to allow their kids enjoy their holidays.