Reopen Universities, Says Student Leaders

The Universities’ Presidents’ Council of Kenya on August 18, condemned the Education Ministry over the uncertainty surrounding the opening dates of the now still closed learning institutions.

The council felt that the way the Ministry of Education has been conducting closed-door meetings on determining the fate of students who have remained at home since schools were closed in March, without involving the Universities’ Presidents’ Council of Kenya.

During a press conference led by their Chairperson Albert Maloba that was held by the council at the United Kenya Club, the council suggested the ministry should recall medical students.

The chairperson said that medical students are important as they can help in the management of the pandemic. He also noted that space is available to accommodate them since other students are stuck at home.

“They play an important role in campuses managed by Hospitals such as Moi Teaching and Referal, Kenyatta Hospital (Chiromo Medical Students), and MKU just to mention but a few. They have a better opportunity as health service providers who can take care of themselves than students who are not training as medics,” he said.

The student leaders said that they should be consulted by the Ministry of Education while they make decisions regarding the fate of learners due to their influence and the direct contact that they have with students.

They claimed that the CS was taking Kenyans for a ride regarding reopening of schools amid widespread press briefings in the name of checking whether institutions have complied with the measures put in place by the Ministry of Health to try and contain COVID – 19.

Maloba who was recognized by Health CS Mutahi Kagwe for his sensitization of COVID – 19 and mitigation measures across the country, also asked for funds to be released immediately to students.

The chairperson also urged the national assembly and the senate committee to come up with ways on how learning should resume immediately instead of staying at home and waiting for COVID – 19 to go away.

“We also implore the national assembly and the senate committee to come up with ways on how to start resumption of learning in all levels instead of waiting until the curve flattens,” said Maloba.

The Universities’ Presidents’ Council of Kenya also encouraged fellow students to make the most of every opportunity they have to assist them to add value to their education while they are at home and be innovative, with creative ideas to push themselves forward.

“Aim to thrive and not just survive as it is better to die on your feet than living on your knees,” said Maloba.

Magoha had said on August 6, that learning institutions might not reopen in January 2021, as most of the institutions had not met the threshold to handle the global coronavirus pandemic.