It is now official that leaners in other classes will resume in-person learning in January 2021. This was made clear by the head of state, President Uhuru Kenyatta, during his 13th State Address on COVID-19.
In a televised address to the nation, the president however noted that examination classes; Grade four, Standard eight and form four will continue preparing for their exams under heightened health safety measures.
“With respect to the examination classes that have resumed learning, I direct that they continue learning and exam preparations under heightened health safety measures.
“All basic education classes to resume in January 2021; class 8, 4 and form 4 pupils to continue learning while observing Covid-19 guidelines and protocols, said president Uhuru Kenyatta.
President Uhuru Kenyatta: With respect to the examination classes that have resumed learning, I direct that they continue learning and exam preparations under heightened health safety measures
All basic education classes resume in-person learning in January 2021 pic.twitter.com/tD4ke6J4Qc
— Citizen TV Kenya (@citizentvkenya) November 4, 2020
The head of state further directed members of parliament to find out a way of making existing measures more effective. He also urged them to focus on additional hand washing points in our schools and provision of face masks to learners.
“I urge and encourage MPs to engage their respective NGAAF and CDF boards with a view of finding way to augment the existing interventions that are geared towards reopening of our schools.
“I urge them to make investments that focus on additional hand washing points in our schools, on provision of face masks to our children, on general sanitization as well as physical distancing of students and teachers,” he stated.
The decision to have candidate classes continue with learning comes at a time when the country is struggling with an upsurge in covid-19 cases in learning institutions.
Over the last few days, schools have registered covid-19 cases with learners, teachers and non-teaching staff catching the virus.
Yesterday, (Tuesday 3rd November, 2020) Busia County Governor, Sospeter Ojaamong, announced that Fifty-two (52) students from Kolanya Boys’ High School in Teso North Sub-County in Busia County tested positive for COVID-19.
The governor also said that six teachers and two members of the subordinate staff contracted the disease from the same school.