The Flamboyant Embakasi East MP Paul Ongili alias Babu Owino surprised Kenyans when he turned his Facebook page into a virtual classroom for mathematics on Labour Day. 

With more than 6000 people following live, Babu took an hour-and-25 minutes’ lesson to tackle key form four  topics such as differentiation, calculus, algebraic expressions, trigonometry, surds and integration.

This comes at a desperate time when the normal school program is paralysed  due to the a covid-19 crisis.

Last week the ODM vocal MP asked the Cabinet Secretary of Education Professor George Albert Magoha Omore to submit to his office the set exam papers in advance for him to verify in advance what has not been taught adding that he is qualified to set KCPE, KCSE exams.

The vocal ODM politician did his form four examinations in Kisumu Boys and scored an A-minus of 79 points. In 2012, he overwhelmingly graduated with a 1st class honors degree in actuarial science from the the University of Nairobi. 

He promised to teach Chemistry during his next lesson.

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Education CS Magoha has said that reopening of basic education in January 2021 may be pushed further. Speaking today to the National Assembly Education Committee Professor George said the reopening of schools will depend on Covid-19 curve. 
     
He said the expansion of infrastructure in learning institutions is hindered by lack of funds which make it doubtful for reopening of schools in January. More than fifteen million learners are out of school since the breakout of Covid-19 in the country. 
Just a few days ago the long-expected reopening of universities and colleges in September was forwarded further creating a doubtful possibility of reopening basic learning institutions in January. 

Education CS cited the daily continuous spike in coronavirus infections cases as the major reasons as to why reopening dates could be pushed further adding that lack of Covid-19 vaccines to contain the virus will jeopardize resumption of learning. 

According to CS Magoha majority of public learning, institutions are far from achieving the minimum precaution standard set by the Ministry of Education. However, consultations are in place to provide private learning institutions with credit facilities. 
This is after private schools asked the Education Ministry to provide them with at least a credit facility.

Magoha has already promised that should the consultations go on well as expected, private institutions experiencing financial challenges might benefit from a Sh.7billion credit facility. 

It is estimated that at least 124 private schools have already shut down their learning facilities due to lack of money and facilities to support their normal operations.

TSC WARNS UNDOCUMENTED TEACHERS 

Teachers service commission also warned teachers who get undocumented payments that they'll not get teaching opportunities. Teachers who got their TSC registration numbers through fraudulent means also risk deregistation from the employers book. Over 310,000 registered teachers are unemployed according to TSC. 

A research carried out in 2009, revealed that over 20000 were not registered by Teachers Service Commission which violates article 237 (2a) and article 23(2) of the Kenyan constitution. The forementioned articles requires the Commission to register all qualified teachers and discourages unregistered teachers from engaging in teaching.

A good number of undergraduate teachers have been employed by Board of Management in many public schools and without TSC numbers. Since the beginning of COVID-19 pandemic in the country, BOM teachers have not been payed. 

The government has already announced that there is a probability of getting Bom and private school techers paid through funds that have already been released to public schools. 7 bilion Kenyan shillings could also land in the hands of Private School managers on loan terms to support their teaching staffs. 

ONLY MKU AND STRATHMORE UNIVERSITY ARE PREPARED TO RESUME LEARNING.

Mount Kenya University and Strathmore University are the only uniniversities that have complied with the minimum requirements for reopening of studies. This is according to the Education CS Magoha who has revealed that he is fully satisfied with the preparations made by the learning institutions.

The two learning institutions successfully launched virtual learning and graduation ceremonies, put in place required protocols for social distancing, enough water and sanitation points and laid down strategies for avoiding and reducing over crowding.

MOUNT KENYA UNIVERSITY COVID-19 PREPAREDNESS.

MKU have implemented important changes, restructured their physical environment and embraced distance learning. All important meetings must take place in the arranged classes organized for such occasions with proper precaution measures in place.

The school of humanities, Education to be specific Arts fuculties, business and economics courses are taught online to create more space at the university premises. Courses that deals with practicals and examining in laboratories will be conducted in the university.

Automatic sanitiser dispensers and multiple water tanks at different points of the premises for are a few numbers of improvements notable at the university. The large spacing in every lecture hall is motivating. Each lecture hall will accommodate half the normal capacity.

Wi-Fi has been improved and enhanced in different points to avoid overcrowding in libraries and reading areas. Hostels will only accommodate 2 students per room as opposed to 4 or 6 in normal situation. Eating intervals at the mess have been increased to reduce congestion.

Sitting arrangement in computer labs, libraries and classrooms have been restricted to ensure a one and half meter distancing space. Having the  previous trimester successfully concluded in April, MKU is continuing with its March-Aug trimester virtually.

STRATHMORE UNIVERSITY COVID–19 PREPAREDNESS.

Nurses and medical professionals have been hired for proper screening of every single person using the university premises. Unnecessary gathering is banned within the premises until normalcy resumes.

Learning will be online for special cases that are unavoidable. Most courses will be taught virtually apart from a few that requires physical teaching. Sitting arrangement has been changed and lecture hall capacity slashed to accommodate half of the normal capacity.

All students will be mandated to clean their lecture halls seats using wipes that are disinfectant. All non working staffs will be issued with PPE's for safety including cleaners. Dust bins will be emptied regularly and all entrances and windows will remain open. Face masks will be worn by every person in the University. 

Each room will contain free agents, mops, water and a mopping bucket as classrooms will be thoroughly washed and cleaned using disinfect-soaps and sanitized accordingly. Medical professionals will be placed at various screen-points during working hours where they will tent with full protective gears. 

Notices indicating Covid-19 rules and regulations including number of learners and persons recommended at particular areas will be pinned in every place including in Labs, libraries and classrooms. Health's recommended face masks will be sold at different points to ensure policy and guidelines are adhered to. 

Any visit to the university premises will be recorded down with every details of the visitor's information including age, phone number, name among others. Only those who meet the above guidelines will be permitted into the university. Frequency of students transportation will be increased for decongestion. University's vehicles will be washed and cleaned daily.

With the above measures and precautions met, the education mjnistry fully believes that the two private universities are ready for resumption of learning. Infant the Education CS believes that they are the only private institutions prepared for reopening. 

Teachers are expected to start teaching in town centres and villages any time soon. The Ministry of Education announced this plan as a way of recovering the lost time lost for learning since learning was suspended following the beginning of COVID-19 pandemic in March 2020. 

Since the closure of schools, majority of learning institutions have been embracing virtual learning to keep their learning busy until January next year when schools are expected to be reopened according to the announcement made by Education Cabinet Secretary Professor George Magoha. 

However, to some learners, online learning is another big challenge as financial conditions worsening. Some students cannot access online services due to poverty levels, lack of electricity in their regions not forgetting the availability of signals and networks on their regions. 

It's for this reasons that the Ministry of Education decided to introduce community-based learning to save over ten million public school learners whose schools are not in the position of proving online education as compared to the majority of private schools in the country. 

Teachers Service Commission in collaboration with the Ministry of Education has made a set of rules and guidelines that will guide teachers as they conduct learning in villages. The first guideline is to ensure that all classrooms accommodate a maximum of 15 learners.

Learning is scheduled for a maximum of 4 hours a day from Mondays to Fridays. Teachers are expected to register with their local officials from the ministry of education who will be in charge of facilitating face-to-face learning in the coming community based learning. (Nyumba Kumi Initiative)  

Learning is anticipated to be conducted in open grounds and halls. The minimum Coronavirus precaution measures must be conducted according to the Ministry of Education guidelines. Life skills teachings such as hygiene, tree planting among others will be taught. 

Psychological assistance, guidance and counselling will be among the lessons taught as contained in the code of teachers regulation. Other learning subjects of interest will be allowed in order to engage learners before the resumption of studies in 2021. Some activities may be conducted online. 

This is expected to lessen cases of drug abuse and earlier pregnancies among students as it eases the load carried by parents on regular basis. Time lost in covering the syllabus will be recovered a little as learners will be categorised in terms of age and classes. Learning will be offered at no cost. 

Tutors will be allowed to grade their learners as they engage in group work and peer to peer learning. Decentralized monitoring and supervision of this program will be conducted at zonal, county and sub-county levels according to the community-based learning guidelines. 

Teachers familiarisation on learners engagement will be conducted as the regional, sub-county and county Directors monitor and assess the involvement and participation of teachers. The Ministry will ensure that learning takes place in every village and that all learners participate. 

Teachers who will take part in this curriculum must be registered at the sub-county by the education directors and curriculum officers at their area of locality or residency as commuting to teach in other areas won't be allowed. 

The teachers will be in charge of observing the status and progression of their learners and give the details to the support officers in their allocated areas of learning. Use of computerised medium of information such as radio, telephones, computers, laptops and television will be allowed during their learning lessons 

However, teachers are warned to be fully aware of the digital notches such as poor networks and poverty levels that may affect teaching from home situations. Teachers Service Commission guidelines require educators to use local materials and resources and make follow-ups with parents and students.

BOM TEACHERS UPDATES ON SALARY PAYMENTS

Ministry of education through permanent secretary Dr Belio Kipsang has asked principals to give exact figures of teachers employed by the Board of Management. The name of Learning institution and the registration numbers of all BOM teachers should be clearly indicated before presentation. 

In a circular released on 10th August, Kipsang notified county education directors to present the exact number of BoM teachers in all learning institutions that were employed before  school closure on March, 2020. All information should reach his office not later than 12th of August 2020. 

It is rumored that the Education Ministry reversed funds  meant to pay Bom teachers and non teaching staffs due to lack of knowledge of the number of teachers employed by BOM. However the statement above is yet to be confirmed. Bom teachers have not received their salaries since schools were closed.

The education Ministry, State Department for Early Learning and Basic Education have given new directions on certification of academic documents. 

REQUIREMENTS 
The following requirements for certification must be adhered to.

i). Original passport or original National ID 

ii). Original Kenya Certificate of Primary education. 2018 candidates and earlier must produce KCPE certificates, result slips won't be accepted. 

iii). School leaving certificates both for primary school and secondary school. 

iv). Those in the diaspora or abroad must attach proof of their Kenyan exit via photocopies of their passports indicating departure and entry details of their travel. 

v). Both sides of academic documents must be well photocopied. 

vi). Technical institutions and polytechnics certificates must be attached to the diploma transcripts and leaving certificates. 

vii). Degrees certificates from universities must be attached with all relevant transcripts. This does not apply to local universities before the year 1984.

viii). All Certification cases MUST BE Presented in personal and incase of representation, evidence of authority by the owner must be submitted by the person who must have his or her original identity card/passport. 

ix). Underaged children must be represented by their parents. All academic documents and birth certificate will be required. 

x). No certification of Identification Cards (IDs), Passports and Birth Certificates. 

PROCEDURE
Below are crucial protocols to be followed any person seeking to obtain services of certification of academic documents

i. All original and copies of academic documents must be well sealed before delivering to the Ministry of Education. 

2. Once sealed, make sure that the envelope is addressed to the director, quality assurance standards. 

3. Properly indicate your full names and contact information at the backside of the envelope and for easier tracing. 

4. Once the above process is done, head to room 607 and deliver your envelope before noon, this time applies to any day of the week. 

5. Go back to the same office, room 607 after 24 hours and collect your documents. Collection of documents is done between 2.00 p.m. And 4.00 p.m only on weekdays.

NB: CERTIFYING OF CERTIFICATES IS DONE FREE OF CHARGE.

Education Ministry has today on Thursday, Jul 30, 2020 released an update on education pertaining Covid-19 containment protocols. President Kenyatta had earlier on directed CS Magoha and his team to clarify to Kenyans on the status of Kenya's education. 

Education ministry held a meeting today with stakeholders to discuss the preparation for the scheduled reopening of TTC's, universities and TVETs. Considering the rising numbers of Covid-19 cases, t was in agreement that teachers' training colleges, universities and TVETs will reopen for face-to-face learning together with the basic education sector in January 2021.

It was also revealed that majority of these learning institutions have not achieved the Minimum requirement measures that would allow them to reopen in September. In regard to this education CS Magoha has adviced universities to continue with virtual examination, graduating and learning under the university standards and guidelines. 

Higher Education Loans Board will however continue to facilitate students who undertake virtual learning with required resources and resources. Learning institutions that would wish to reopen a face-to-face learning will only be allowed to do so under the strict guidelines and adherence to the Ministry of Education rules on preparedness. 

A few weeks ago, Dedan Kimathi University and Riara University conducted an on-line graduation ceremony, with Nairobi University and Edgerton University is expeted to follow the graduation trend in July and September respectively. Dedan Kimathi University and KCA University have conducted virtual orientation of new students in the last two months. 

On regarding to forced job leaves of the BOM teachers and non teaching staffs, Magoha has clarified that the government has already put in place enough funds for paying them in a measure of maintaining safety in learning institutions. 

While admitting the fact that not every learner can afford to benefit from virtual learning through internet, radio and television, it was revealed in today's meeting that Basic Education plan is in place for a Nyumba Kumi initiative to take place at no cost. Teachers Service Commission is yet to give guidelines on this. 

Over 25600 Kenyans have failed to pay Helb loans due to the coronavirus effects in the country. It's reported that a few Helb beneficiaries have renegotiated or have denied to clear their loans due to the tough economic conditions that have changed the normal borrowing of money situation from financial institutions. 

According to Helb's book of loans, about 4.6 billion shillings loans which is equivalent to sixteen percent of the 28.5 billion shillings borrowed have been affected by the current economic situation in Kenya. 

Since March this year, Kenyans have been struggling to make loan payments due to their salary pay cuts and forced job leaves that have seen majority of affected Kenyans not earning a penny from their bosses. 

For instance BOM and private schools teachers are reportedly suffering from debts since the beginning of COVID-19 pandemic in Kenya which saw the majority of them lose their jobs which is now affecting their loan repayments. 

While admitting a loan repayment drop of sh0.8, Mr Charles Ringera the Helb chief executive officer said some employers and Kenyans owing Helb money have been given a repayment moratorium.

Further Mr Ringera said some loanees have been given a downwards monthly rates review to enable them pay their loans with less difficulties. 

Ksh155 million has been set aside to support about 1,300 Kenyan teachers for seven months even as coronavirus spread continue to strike higher. This was revealed during a UK virtual meeting that was meant to  ensure that refugee children continue with education during and after the coronavirus pandemic.

According to the United States actress Angelina Jolie who is also the Special Envoy for the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, some learners worldwide may never get back to school even at the end of coronavirus pandemic.

The United Kingdom Ambassador to Kenya Mrs Jane Marriot also revealed that teachers who will benefit from the support project include those in refugee camps in Kalobeyi, Dadab and Kakuma.

About 300,000 learners from the ten countries selected by the UNHCR will benefit from this  project. Other countries include Uganda, Yemen, South Sudan, Pakistan, Chad, Sudan, Malawi, Rwanda, and Mauritania,

Kenya in particular has been set to recieve a total amount of Ksh713. This comes at a time when the Education Sector is struggling even as the Kenyan schools are set to reopen in January 2021.

Education CS Magoha has said that all Pre-primary, Primary and Secondary schools will reopen in January next year due to the rising cases of Covid-19 in the country and the incapacity level of primary and secondary schools to achieve coronavirus precaution measures. 

He further revealed that in 2020, Primary and secondary schools students will not sit for the KCPE , KCSE national examination. 

This means that all pupils in pre-primary and primary school, as well as secondary school students will be forced to remain in their previous class.

TVETs and colleges that meets irreducible minimums on Covid19 regulations will be allowed to re-open their studies in September but with strict adherence to anti-virus rules

More to Follow…..

Education CS Professor George Magoha on Sunday directed all Teachers Training College educators to undergo Covid-19 testing, as a measure to ensure that learners are safe from the disease once the institutions re-open.

The Education CS promised Kenyans that learning institutions will only open if the government will be certain that all Covid-19 precaution measures are adhered to in schools and colleges. Speaking in Embu County where he had visited the Kenya School of Government, Magoha directed that all TTC teachers be tested about two weeks before reopening the institutions to ensure the safety of over 13 million people at the TTC institutions. 

The proffer said that teachers and all the non-teaching staff will be retested again 14 days after reopening as it will be a continuous process. Hinting a sooner resumption of studies, education permanent secretary Belio Kipsang has been tasked with the planning of the exercise.

The school administrators have been directed further to quickly ensure enough and clean supply of water in all structures and good hygiene is maintained especially in the toilets. Magoha noted that handwashing points for learners should be as many possible to guarantee good hygiene standards. He emphasized on social distancing when learning institutions will be reopened. 

President Uhuru Kenyatta is expected to address the nation on Monday to give the nation an economical revival plan even as Covid-19 continues to affect the global economy.

Education Cabinet Secretary Professor George Magoha has expressed his fears that schools may not reopen on September as planned earlier. He said the resumption of studies may be pushed to next year, 2021 if the Covid-19 pandemic cases keep increasing. 

Speaking during a meeting with education stakeholders at the KICD on Wednesday, the CS said the ministry won't risk the health of students in any way the decision which he said parents fully support.

CS Magoha had initially met with the Council of Governors who came to terms that schools should remain closed until the Coronavirus curve is flattened. On 6th of July, President Uhuru Kenyatta is expected to make his official statement on when exactly schools will reopen. 

Magoha said that resumption of school learning will be determined by educational stakeholders ability to ensure Social distancing in schools in which the Ministry of Health suggests that it should include a 15-20 number of learners per class. 

The meeting was attended by the UASU officials, TSC chief executive officer Dr Nancy Macharia, KEWOTA representatives, KNUT secretary general Wilson Sossion among other stakeholders. 

CS Magoha is expected to release a new school calendar before the end of August 2020 as directed by President Uhuru Kenyatta. 

KNUT Secretary-general Wilson Sossion had protested earlier that the resuming classes would be difficult if more teachers won't be hired to cover the new teacher-student ratio deficit in the country suggesting that all BOM teachers be absorbed by TSC to fill the gaps.