Education Cabinet Secretary Prof. George Magoha on Sunday announced that the government had resolved to extend the nationwide school closure by one more month.
CS Magoha, addressing the press at Afya House during the daily Covid-19 briefings, hence intimated that the schools, which were initially set to reopen on May 4, could now resume operations in June.
“For the past four weeks or so, the children have been on normal vocation; an activity that will end on May 4. In the interest of the safety and lives of our children, the government has decided to extend school closure for one month effective from the date of opening,” he said.
He further stated that the Kenya Certificate of Primary Education (KCPE) and Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) will not be postponed to make up for the time lost during the coronavirus outbreak period.
“At this point, the government has not decided to postpone both the KCPE and KCSE. Let our children enjoy the last week on holiday, and then start the one month that has been added to them.”
Jabali Christian Schools
This, however, is does not seem to be the case at Jabali Christian Schools which has issued a letter via text messages that the classes shall be opened on 5th May.
Dear parents!
*REF: OPENING OF JABALI CHRISTIAN SCHOOLS DIGITAL LEARNING*
I trust you are well and that the Lord has sustained you in this season.I wish to inform you that the Schools will be opening the *_online classes_* on *Tuesday, 5th May 2020.* We intend to use _Zoom and Google classroom._
The reason for opening on this day is that we can finalize on a few things that we feel are critical for the success of the classes.
After the board has finalized on some matters, there will be more communication regarding fees and the term breakdown of events.
During this season, I wish to let you know that we continue to pray for you and your children and request that we continue keeping safe so that we can defeat this pandemic together.
May the Lord keep you and watch over you. Ps 91 is our portion.
Kind regards,
Mr. Mwai
Jabali Christian schools
This comes at a time that Parents and teachers were against the government’s plan to partially reopen schools to let candidates prepare for national examinations, yet some of the institutions have been designated as isolation centres for Covid-19 patients.
Parents Association national chairman Nicholas Maiyo yesterday said he had received pleas from guardians countrywide that schools should only open once the virus is contained.
“No parent will allow their child back to school before coronavirus is contained. Parents are afraid, the government must contain the pandemic first,” he said.
Teachers have proposed that if the partial opening is to succeed, it must happen before the end of June, putting more pressure on the government to contain the virus spread.
“The planned use of schools as isolation centres should be dropped to secure the learning environments,” said Kahi Indimuli, the national chairman of the Kenya Secondary Schools Heads Association (Kessha).
Kenya Primary School Heads Association (Kepsha) national chairman Nicholas Gathemia said primary school teachers would resume teaching once their safety and that of pupils was guaranteed.
“If they assure us of safety in schools we shall support the government initiatives,” said Mr Gathemia.
