Schools may reopen earlier than January 2021 with declining COVID-19 cases, says CS Magoha

The government is ready and willing to change school reopening dates anytime depending on the behavior of the COVID-19 pandemic, Education Cabinet Secretary Prof. George Magoha has said.

Going by the declining cases of COVID-19 as reported in the country for the past week, Prof. Magoha has now hinted that school reopening dates might just be pushed closer than the initially projected January 2021.

Prof. Magoha, speaking in Migori County where he toured institutions to assess their preparedness, said if the trend continues and the curve flattens, then his ministry will take another look at the academic calendar.

The CS however insisted that the schools will be only be reopened once the ministry is sure children will be safe in the institutions upon resumption.

“You’re aware the virus is starting to look like it is going to stagnate…we’re saying should the situation change, we shall be ready and willing to look at the scenario once again in the interest of our children,” said Prof. Magoha.

“As far as the government is concerned, ours is to open the learning institutions like yesterday…the bottom-line is our children should be reasonably safe when they return. We’re doing everything possible including ensuring that water sources and sanitizers are available… we’re even in the process of providing masks where it’s possible.”

In his remarks, Migori Governor Okoth Obado urged the government to improve infrastructure in schools so that learners can be safe when they finally resume.

Governor Obado also asked parents to take good care of their children during this long stay at home to avoid cases of early pregnancy.