Education Cabinet Secretary Prof. Magoha has raised hopes on possibility of reopening of Technical and Vocational Education Training Institutions (TVET) after he noted that learning can easily be conducted in shifts compared to primary and secondary schools.
While speaking to press in Kisumu county after meeting principals of TVET Institutions, CS Magoha exuded confidence in the sense that TVET students can easily adhere to social distancing measurements of Covid-19 containment unlike their counterparts in primary and secondary institutions.
“TVET institutions have a much better chance of survival in terms of achieving social distancing, they can open in shifts much more easily than primary and secondary schools,” said CS Magoha.
CS Magoha further added that it is close to impossibility to imagine that the government can double or triple facilities in learning institutions in a bid to make it possible to achieve social distancing to be effected.
“It will be most unreasonable to expect government to double or triple the facilities of learning institutions because it has taken years to build what is there,” added the CS.
On the issue of masks Magoha said that plans are underway to see to it learners are provided with them. He also noted that Dr Julius Ouma Juan who is the permanent secretary in the Department of Vocational Training assured him that students can make their own masks.
Should schools be opened in September as earlier directed by president Uhuru Kenyatta, then the biggest headache is how social distancing will be effected in learning institutions.
On Wednesday, June 24, CS Magoha stated that each classroom should accommodate 15-20 students to observe the social distancing rule.
He further added that the state will ensure they acquire 24 million masks that will be given to each student when they resume.
In addition, all schools will be provided with thermo guns to check the temperatures of individuals accessing the institutions.