President Uhuru Kenyatta has left Kenyans guessing on official reopening date for schools after he chaired the most awaited Covid-19 Conference at Kenyatta International Conference Centre (KICC).
The head of state stated that schools will only reopen once the safety of learners has been guaranteed. He further urged Kenyans not to focus on reopening date but rather how reopening will take place.
He said: “Learning institutions should only be reopened when we have and can sufficiently guarantee the safety of all our children. Let us not focus on when schools will reopen but on how they will reopen in a manner that protects our children and protects their life and health.”
“The resumption of in-person learning must be predicated on strict adherence to health protocols and guidelines as issued by the ministry of health. Therefore, I call upon the cabinet secretary for education once we have agreed on the how he will thereafter immediately issue a calendar for the resumption of the 2020 academic year if it is to be or if it is going to be 2021.”
“Learning institutions should only be reopened when we have and can sufficiently guarantee the safety of all our children. Let us not focus on when schools will reopen but on how they will reopen…” – President Uhuru Kenyatta pic.twitter.com/85hL3siDb1
— Citizen TV Kenya (@citizentvkenya) September 28, 2020
His remarks undoubtedly means students will stay home much longer than earlier expected.
Earlier on education cabinet secretary professor Magoha had said that schools reopening date was to be announced after the much anticipated conference that took place today on Monday September 28.
Speculations on possibility of president Uhuru announcing reopening date today were so rife after the directive from TSC last week, that urged all teachers to report to their stations by Monday September 28.
During the address last week at KICD, TSC boss Dr Macharia noted that teachers were to prepare and save the academic year that was at the risk of being lost.
“We ask teachers to report back to school on Monday, 28th September to prepare for the eventual reopening of schools. Our teachers are prepared and ready to support children recover the lost time and save the academic year that was at risk of being lost,” said Dr. Macharia.