Home General News Kenyan Schools closed until 2021 amidst COVID-19 fears

Kenyan Schools closed until 2021 amidst COVID-19 fears

Schools in Kenya will not re-open until 2021 due to fears of COVID-19 infections which has started taking toll in the country.

Education Cabinet Secretary Professor George Magoha said it will not be practical and safe to re-open schools because the peak period for the Corona Virus infection has just started and we recording high positive cases.

He said this academic year is lost, meaning all learners will be required to repeat their current classes when schools re-open next year. He did not provide the exact dates.

Consequently, he said, national examinations for primary and secondary schools will not be done this year.

“Schools will re-open next year that is when KCPE and KCSE examinations will be done,” Magoha said.

Schools in Kenya were ordered closed on March 15, by President Uhuru Kenyatta soon after the first case of coronavirus was confirmed in the country.

“Schools will re-open next year that is when KCPE and KCSE examinations will be done,” Magoha said, “but if the situation improves, things will change.”

Magoha said he had consulted with the Ministry of Health and agreed on reducing physical contact in learning institutions by having fewer learners, were schools to re-open once the curve flattens. COVID-19 cases had surged to 8,07 by July 7.

“Based on this disturbing trend, stakeholders have shelved an initial proposal to reopen basic education learning institutions,” the CS said.
He said the Ministry will explore several ways that will ensure school-going children are engaged while at home, signalling the continuation of online learning that is going on in several schools, mainly private institutions.

Universities were also allowed to re-open subject to meeting COVID-19 protocols but training colleges and Technical and Vocational Education and Training institutions will re-open in September, after meeting “stringent guidelines issued by the Ministry of Health.”

“Reopening of universities for face-to-face sessions will be on a case-by-case basis based on approved compliance with the Ministry of Health COVID-19 protocols,” the CS said.

“Universities should continue holding virtual learning and graduations for students who have successfully completed their programmes and met graduation requirements set by their respective Senates. Universities should consider phased reopening to achieve physical and social distancing, especially in halls of residence, lecture rooms and dining halls,” he said and warned that institutions that will flout the COVID-19 containment measures will be closed.

The schools were closed in March 15, after the first case of coronavirus was reported in the country.

“All the decisions that we have made with stakeholders regarding reopening of learning institutions may change as informed by reports from the Ministry of Health, prevailing circumstances and increased knowledge of the COVID-19,” he explained.

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Ellis Ferdinand is a Journalist, Blogger and Founder of Ellis Multimedia, a parent company of EducationGhana.org, an Online Education News Blog, PoliticsGhana.com and GhanaNaija.net. Ellis Ferdinand is a Graduate of Accra College of Education and the University of Cape Coast, where he obtained a Diploma In Basic Education and a Bachelor of Education in Accounting. He is currently Reading his Master of Philosophy in Curriculum and Pedagogic Studies at the University of Education, Winneba in Ghana. Ellis Ferdinand won Blogger of the Year at the 2018 National Students’ Awards and was also adjudged 14th Best Ghanain Blogger in 2018 among the Top 50 Ghanaian Bloggers of 2018. He introduced the Concept of Education Blogging in Ghana in 2014 with his famous blog EducationGhana.net. now EducationGhana.org His Blog won Best Media Promoting Education in 2017, 2018 and 2019 respectively, an Award organized by Neogenics Education Consult. In 2019, He adjudged the Most Promising West African Blogger of the Year in Nigeria. He won Writer of the Year at the 2021 EDUCOM AWARDS

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