There is no respite for pupils, students and teachers to cushion them from the devastating pangs of the Covid-19 after Education Cabinet Secretary George Magoha said there are no new classrooms across the
world that have been constructed following the virus disruptions.
Speaking in Murang’a County yesterday, Magoha fell short of condemning learners and tutors to the fate of the pandemic, a move that sends shockwaves and seemingly manifests lack of policy contingency measures to address the possible catastrophic pandemic surge with full
resumption of the academic calendar.
Instead, Magoha urged school headmasters to be innovative and ensure Covid-19 protocols are adhered to.
“If the weather is as good as now, nothing stops the head teacher, who is an excellent teacher from having classes there in addition to others is being inside the rooms. Let us be innovative and stop criticising without a solution,” Magoha said.
The CS said the school heads can take advantage of good sunny weather
and use tree shades within the school compound as classes.
Ironically, Magoha’s assessment of the weather condition is based on general assumption but his assertions are widely interpreted as policy guidelines.
He indicated that the schools will officially be reopened on Monday, January 4, 2021.
The CS asked parents to prepare their children for the resumption of learning, saying the government is doing everything possible to ensure schools are conducive for learning.
He also instructed teachers to ensure all children are given access to schools and warned them against sending children home for not paying fees.
“Primary education is free as per the constitution but in cases where it is payable, we are asking teachers to identify the needy children and support them. Let’s not have a situation where a pandemic has occasioned the loss of jobs and then we send children back home,” he said.
The CS further asked boards of management to handle expectant teens gently and ensure they go back to school.
“When ready to deliver, they will be allowed to go for delivery and come back to school. Even those who are married, all students, especially candidates must go back to school so they can sit for the national exams,” he added.