Magoha distances himself from January school reopening

By Staff Reporter (Education News Kenya — https://educationnews.co.ke/news/magoha-distances-himself-from-january-reopening)

With the 2020 academic year off, the fate of more than 15 million learners in the country remains in darkness as the CS distances himself from reopening of schools in January.

Cabinet Secretary for Education Prof George Magoha said that the reopening of learning institutions solely depends on President Uhuru Kenyatta.

“As the schools remain closed, it is the decision of President Kenyatta on whether to take the risk of reopening,” said CS Magoha.

Speaking while inspecting the preparedness of the Siaya Institute of Technology, Prof Magoha asked Kenyans to pay little attention to those pushing for urgent reopening saying that the lives of the learners are more important.

However, Prof Magoha explained that his role is to ensure total compliance with the Ministry of Health guidelines on Covid-19 but the decision and responsibility lie with President Uhuru Kenyatta.

The CS said that the fattening cases of Covid-19 with the lack of a vaccine to contain the virus is a vivid indication that schools might remain shut beyond January.

“Countries who rushed to reopening schools, for instance, USA and South Africa registered the highest number of Covid-19 cases forcing them to retreat,” said Prof Magoha.

However, while responding to questions by MPs in a virtual meeting on Thursday last week, Prof Magoha remained non-committal on the precise dates for the reopening of basic education learning institutions.

Prof Magoha added that the resumption of learning largely depends on the Covid-19 curve and the level of preparedness in terms expansion of infrastructure which has been faced by financial challenges as a result of the limping economy.