Teacher training colleges set to reopen by September
By Education News Team
As President Uhuru Kenyatta today relaxes the Covid-19 containment measures, teacher training colleges stand a huge chance of reopening by September as the cloud of uncertainty surrounds the fate of primary and secondary schools.
Speaking to the journalists yesterday, Cabinet Secretary for education said that TTCs stand a better chance of reopening considering the fact that the colleges did not admit students last year in anticipation of a shift from P1 certificate to diploma training hence social distance can be easily observed.
“I will advise the president to allow you to open on 1st September 2020 since you have few students and large capacity so you can achieve physical distancing,” Prof. Magoha said when he held a consultative meeting with 85 college principals at the Kenya School of Government in Embu on Sunday.
He said that he will pay surprise visits at random to confirm their adherence to the guidelines given by the Ministry of health for instance; running water at hand washing points, sanitizers and spacious lecture halls.
The Cabinet Secretary said that college tutors and other workers must be tested two weeks prior to opening. He also added that staff handling food must be tested fortnightly. However, the CS when was asked about testing of students, he was non-commital.
Prof. Magoha said albeit, colleges are not included in the government plan to provide facemasks to learners, all students must put on masks at all time.
The prolonged closure has negative impacts with some lamenting reports showing that many teenage learners have become pregnant. Others have indulged themselves in substance abuse.
Report has that if learning institution resumes, national exams will be administered in March and April next year.
