CS Magoha Reopens Universities, TTCs & TVETs
Kenya Ministry of Education cabinet secretary George Magoha has ordered the reopening of universities and tertiary institutions in the country.
In a letter sent from his office, CS Magoha made references to the presidential directive issued during the Twelfth Presidential Address to the Nation on the Coronavirus Pandemic delivered by President Uhuru Kenyatta on 28th September 2020 at KICC. The document specified the date of reopening as 5th October, 2020. This was branded as a progressive re-opening of education institutions.
Watch Uhuru’s Statement https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pjIyhltRq_c
CS Magoha Specifics on Reopening
The following were specified by the Ministry of Education.
That the examination classes of Teachers Training Colleges (TTCs) and Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) institutions will report on Monday, 5th October, 2020.
The Boards of TTCs and TVETs will announce the resumption date for in-person learning for other classes, with priority being accorded to students undertaking practical courses.
First year students in all universities and their constituent colleges will report on Monday, 5th October, 2020.
The respective university councils and their senates will announce the date for resumption of in-person learning for students in other academic classes, with priority being accorded to those undertaking science-based courses.
Schools Reopening Guidelines and Protocols
CS George Magoha noted down the following guidelines to be followed by the institutions.
All learning institutions will be required to mandatorily enforce strict adherence to the COVID-19 health and safety protocols, which include: monitoring of the body temperature for all learners and all other persons accessing the institutions, observance of high levels of hygiene, hand washing/use of sanitizers, and the adoption of innovation approaches to uphold the guidelines on physical and social distancing and the use of face masks/shields.
All universities and tertiary institutions that had been designated as quarantine centers shall be fumigated under the supervision of the Ministry of Health prior to their re-opening.
All universities and tertiary institutions must be linked to a health facility prior to being reopened.
All learning institutions shall provide psychosocial and spiritual support to learners and staff during the subsistence of the current pandemic.
CS Magoha also directed all Councils/boards and vice-chancellors/principals to ensure full compliance with the guidelines and protocols issued by the Ministry of Health; failure to which their respective institutions will be closed for breaching those health protocols and guidelines.
Lastly, education officials, in conjunction with Public Health Officials will continuously monitor and review the levels of compliance with respect to the aforementioned measures.
This announcement came days after CS Magoha and the Teachers Service Commission directed primary and high school teachers to return to work.
Watch TSC and Magoha’s statement https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yRB91nT2eng
The date for reopening of secondary schools and high schools is yet to be announced by President Uhuru Kenyatta.