By Enock Okong’o
The government’s decision to postpone the reopening of schools to 2021 has been received with different reactions in Gusiiland.
Kenya Parents Association Kisii branch says the move has dampened the spirit of the learners especially the Form Four and Standard Eight candidates.
The Association’s Chairman Michael Onsare Ototo blames the Cabinet Secretary for Education Prof. George Magoha for the announcement of the extension saying that his words pierced the hearts of the learners.
He said the CS should have given shreds of hope to students by retaining the early statement of reopening by September this year.
The chairman asked the government to reconsider the reopening of schools sooner than 2021 for the purpose of consoling the candidates who are already stressed by the sudden closure as a way of curbing the spread of coronavirus.
The chairman’s sentiments were supported by Kisii Watch and Governance Association’s Secretary Mrs. Rachael Otundo.
She said that the primary and secondary school pupils are too young to be given such hard hitting and biting news of unpredictable closure of where they have been enjoying being.
“Let the CS Magoha give the students right hope when announcing government’s decisions by keeping in mind the audience,” said Mrs. Otundo.
However, Ototo and Otundo’s views were met with stiff hostility by the Association of Retired Teachers of Nyamira County.
Led by their chairman and Secretary Robinson Otwori and Obadiah Abere respectively, the duo termed the extension of school reopening as a prudent precaution.
The Association urged the government to not rush into reopening the schools but instead learn from countries like Israel and South Africa that reopened schools amid the coronavirus disease presence and the results were disastrous.
“Lives of our children and teachers are far much important than examinations,” said Mr. Otwori.
He urged the government to send money to schools as soon as possible to aid in running of bills such as water, electricity and salaries for the support staff who have been depending on the institutions.
