On Tuesday, a day after President Uhuru Kenyatta announced the lifting of the cessation order for Mombasa, Nairobi, and Mandera counties, CS Magoha announced that basic education institutions will resume next year. This comes after parents and other stakeholders expressed concerns concerning the reopening of schools in September.
“Stakeholders have ditched the proposal to reopen schools in September for standard eight and form four KCSE and KCPE candidates,” he said.
Besides, the CS said that students who were to sit for the national examinations this year will do so next year. This is in the belief that the COVID-19 curve will have flattened by 2021.
“The Ministry of Education will come up with a circular regarding the reopening dates. The Kenya National Examinations Council (KNEC) will issue a revised examination timetable,” said Prof George Magoha.
All students will have to repeat their respective classes. “In order to engage learners, the Ministry of Education will enhance distance, online, and e-learning. We will also explore ways to promote equity,” he said.
The CS also said that Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) institutions and colleges will reopen in September. However, these institutions and colleges will have to follow the strict restrictions imposed by the government for containing COVID-19.
“Universities will be allowed to reopen but only if they adhere to standards set by the Ministry of Health. Besides, they will have to be inspected (to ensure they meet the required restrictions). Staff members of universities will decide on how they will reopen in phases,” said the CS. He also went further to insist that institutions that will not follow the guidelines risk being closed.
These decisions are taken by the Ministry of Education and they apply to all learners, including those schools that offer International Curriculum. These decisions are subject to review once that COVID – 19 cases reduce, thereby flattening the curve within the next 14 days.
“These decisions made by the Ministry of Education together with stakeholders regarding reopening of learning institutions might change depending on reports from the Health Ministry. This will depend on circumstances and an increase in knowledge on the novel Coronavirus,” said the CS.
Face to face learning in universities will be determined on a case by case basis and in compliance with the coronavirus protocols.
“Universities will keep holding virtual learning and graduations for students who qualify upon completion of their respective programs,” he said.
“They should consider utilizing halls of residence, dining halls, and lecture rooms to meet social and physical distancing requirements,” he added.
VIDEO: CS Magoha cancels 2020 KCSE and KCPE, reopening pushed to next year