By Erick Nyayiera
As the Covid-19 infection reduces, the Ministry of Education has issued guidelines ahead of the resumption of face-to-face learning.
In the guidelines signed by the Principal Secretary State Department of Early Learning and Basic Education Dr. Belio Kipsang, the government has put in place interventions to ensure that learning continues despite the interruptions brought about by the Covid-19 pandemic.
According to the guidelines, every institution must map an emergency health facility that is within 10 km and collaborate with the County government to have some health personnel assigned to the institutions for regular health monitoring and sensitizations.
However, institution’s medical personnel must be trained on how to handle the Covid-19 patients.
“Institutions sanatoriums/clinics must be equipped with emergency medical supplies to assist learners/trainees and staff in the event of Covid-19 outbreak,” read the guidelines.
The guideline has it while at the school clinics, learners must observe social distancing of at least one meter.
Health officers must, however, conduct preliminary temperature checks on the learners/tutors visiting the facilities alongside providing hand washing facilities.
The school sickbays are also required to provide proper waste disposal facilities. They must also disinfect surfaces, rails, furniture, knobs and other places for at least three times a day while ensuring adequate lighting and ventilation.
School management must carry out risk assessment for suitability focusing on space, water, sanitation, provision of meals, mobility of learners using the risk assessment matrix provided by the Ministry of Education and develop mitigation measures.
Overall, the guidelines on preparations for reopening dictate that respective school heads should build the capacity of institutional staff, learners, Boards of Management and parents on the management of Covid-19.
Institutions must ensure adequate clean running water and sanitation facilities in the institution and procure water tanks where applicable. They should also develop awareness messages and build the capacity of learners, teachers, non –teaching staff, parents and entire institution community on prevention and control measures.
“You are required to stock up the institution with key supplies including disinfectants, liquid soaps, non-touch thermometers, facemasks and first aid kits and also ensure psychosocial and spiritual services,” read the guidelines.
The guidelines also require schools to maintain updated bio data of all learners/trainees contact numbers and home addresses of the parents/ /caregivers.
School heads are expected collaborate with Ministry of Health through the sub- county Education office to map quarantine centers at least one per sub-county in case of reoccurrence of the outbreak.
However, a team of experts will conduct assessment on the feasibility and preparedness of various institutions ahead of the awaited reopening.
After the assessment and approval, there will be a communication to parents, teachers, learners, trainees and entire community before necessitating the reopening of the institutions based on the calendar that is yet to be released by the Ministry of Education.
