CS Magoha hints at colleges reopening earlier than primary and high schools

In pre-primary, primary and secondary schools, the CS said yesterday that the government has been exploring various ideas, including increasing learning facilities, which he termed unreasonable.

“In pre-primary, primary and secondary, social distance is a major challenge in capital letters, but it should not stop us from preparing for reopening in September,” the CS said. “It will be most unreasonable to expect government to double or triple the facilities in learning institutions, because it has taken years to build what is there.”

The government has also considered readmitting learners in shifts, which the CS said was only found feasible for Grade One to Four.

The consideration of overhauling the school calendar has also come up, but according to the CS, it was also not practical because of the East African Community protocols.

“We are senior members of the EAC and it would mean the President will have to consult with the others and if they say no then it is not something that we should even waste our time on,” he stated.

On examinations, the CS said TVETs could allow the examination classes that were disrupted to resume after inspection to ensure compliance with Covid-19 requirements.

Prof Magoha dismissed calls by the Kenya National Union Teachers to scrap the delocalisation policy so that teachers return to their home counties, terming it petty politics.

“When you listen to some of these arguments, they don’t deserve my attention,” he stated.