School Re-Opening Dates

Schools will be re-opening soon and learning will resume normal learning. This is after Education CS formed a task force that will access the current situation and determine back to school dates for Kenyan learners. First term was scheduled to start on 6^th January 2020 and close on 10^th April. Second term was scheduled to commence on 4th May 2020 and end on 19^th June 2020. The last term was expected to run from 31^st August 2020 and end on 5^th November 2020.

The education calendar was greatly affected following the outbreak of Covid-19 in the country in mid March. Kenya Institute for Curriculum Development (KICD) Chairperson Sarah Ruto will lead the Covid-19 Education Response Committee that will give critical advise on the reopening of all basic learning institutions, teacher training colleges and adult education institutions.

Also Read:2020 New Salary Scale For Teachers After TSC Promotion

This comes just some few days after CS Magoha was pushed to the wall by the parliamentary  Education committee to tell Kenyans plans the ministry had for the resumption of normal learning activities in schools.

According to a report seen by The Standard Report, Representatives of secondary and primary school heads, private schools, international schools, Kenya Institute for Special Education, Kenya Special Schools Heads Association and parents’ associations are listed as members to the committee. The committee is tasked with advising the Ministry on the modalities to be followed for the reopening of schools.

The Education Ministry on 13^th May began an audit on school vehicles nationwide in an effort to look for means of transporting students back to school.

Schools were expected to reopen when the second term was scheduled to start on May 4, but Magoha extended the reopening date for one month. He had earlier hinted that schools could remain shut even for a year should the situation of Coronavirus in Kenya not improve. Magoha firmly stated that he had the child safety comes first and that children were much safe in the hands of their parents at home.

Also Read:Court Nulifies TSC Employment Age Limit For Teachers

According to CS Magoha who was speaking yesterday, the committee will also advise the Cabinet Secretary on the general impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on the demand for education by poor households and suggest mitigation measures.

Fears of national exams KCPE and KCSE had been mounting, but the Minister had ruled out the possibilities of postponing the national Exams.

In April, the President ruled out suspension of this year’s KCPE and KCSE examinations amid the ravaging effects of the Covid-19 pandemic that has disrupted the school calendar.

However KNUT secretary has called for the ministry put everything in order before schools are re-opened.

“Prior to opening, let quality assurance and standards officials, boards of management, public health officials, Knut, Kuppet, Kenya secondary and primary heads associations and religious organizations jointly inspect schools to establish compliance of the requirements,” Sossion said.

Also Read:TSC To Deduct Ksh. 6,000 From Teachers Salary For Training

He called for the formation of technical teams that bring together all stakeholders in the education sector to oversight day-to-day operations of schools.

2020 Planned School Calendar

Prior to the disruption, the ministry had issued out the 2020 school calendar for both First term second term and third term.

Primary Cchool Calendar

First term was scheduled to start on 6^th January 2020 and close on 10^th April. Second term was scheduled to commence on 4th May 2020 and end on 19^th June 2020. The last term was expected to run from 31^st August 2020 and end on 5^th November 2020.