By Andanje Wakhungu
As the government plans to resume face-to-face learning, the National Chair Kenya Parents Association Nicholas Mayo has expressed his fear over the observation of the Covid-19 protocols.
While speaking in a local radio station, Mayo is happy that 17 Million children country wide are not likely to conduct the virus as stated by the World Health Organization (WHO) and United Nations International Children’s Emergency Funds (UNICEF) that rules out children aged between (1-19) years as less likely to conduct the disease.
“According to WHO and UNICEF global study, children who are less than 20 years are more stable and resistant to the virus and this is good news to the parents as we will be able to reopen and adjust our institutions to accommodate them by putting in place relevant measures to counter any possible spread,” said Mayo.
Mr. Mayo also hinted that the Ministry of Education has engaged the certified textiles companies within the country to produce quality reusable facemasks that will be supplied to schools for purchase by parents at Sh100 per pair.
According to the records, Ministry has asked Rivatex, Kikomi and Kitui textile companies to produce quality face masks for schools. However, Mayo said that they will write to UNICEF to assist in purchase of the face masks in cases of where parents are not in a position to buy.
“Such special cases will be catered for by donations from the UNICEF and government as the Kenya Secondary Schools Heads Association (KESSHA) Chair Mr. Kahi Indumuli is leading the organization in the procurement of 7,000 thermo guns worth Ksh4, 000 each,” said Mayo.
Maiyo, however, called on the government to set new syllabus calendar that will not interfere with the already paid fee and advised parents who had already remitted fees not to panic as it will be forwarded to following year.
He further stated that all the children and teachers will be subjected to temperature taking and each institution will have an isolation room where those with high temperature will be kept for further diagnosis.
Mr. Mayo also urged the Ministry of Education through the infrastructure fund to release funds to enable school heads do the adjustments including putting tents in place.
He also pointed out that those students who reside within schools should be allowed to be day scholars to minimize interaction between the learners.
