Education Cabinet Secretary George Magoha has ruled out the closure of schools due to coronavirus crises reported in schools noting that the small holes of infections in schools are being observed strictly.
“We are auditing processes that took place over the last two weeks. Any decision to be made will be based on facts. Nobody is thinking of closing schools again and nobody is thinking of rushing to reopen the others.” He said.
The Education CS, who visited Kakamega County on Friday to scrutinise production units for desks distributed to primary and schools, said his visits are to ensure desks meet specifications and are of a good feature before payments are processed.
Reopening Of School May Take Longer.
Magoha noted that the rest of learners may take longer to return to schools adding that no dates were given.
“That date of October 26 belonged to the media. What we said is that we were going to monitor how everything is going and shall make an announcement in consultation with the Interior and Health ministries.”
The professor emphasised that the infections in learning institutions are a picture of the circumstances among communities in specific areas and that the reopening of clubs and bars has led to a spike in the rate of infections.
He joined Health Chief Administrative Secretary Dr Mercy Mwangangi in noting that the ministry has taken steps to restrain the spread of the virus and that there is “nothing to worry about”.
“We have had small pockets of outbreaks in places such as Mombasa, which have necessitated certain actions, for example, the closure of schools for two weeks, but we are happy nothing serious has happened,” he said.
Magoha said public and private universities teachers’ training colleges (TTCs) and TVETs, have also resumed and that there is no reason for worry.
The Education CS further remarked that it is not the Education ministry’s obligation to shut schools over health anxieties as such a determination is explained under the Public Health Act, he said.
“We are happy that we reopened schools for three million of our children in Grade Four, Standard Eight and Form Four. We are also very happy to announce that nothing major has happened that can shake our resolve.” He noted.
