Equip schools to meet Covid-19 rules then find clear path to reopening

Education CS George Magoha at a past event.

The government has now adopted community learning as it faces the tough task of reopening schools in the wake of Covid-19.

This deliberate policy shift hopes to achieve two cardinal things — ensure the safety of learners, while keeping them positively engaged during the prolonged closure of schools.

Aware of the harmful consequences of the long stay at home, the Education ministry has asked teachers to gather learners in their localities and engage them on life skills and values.

This is timely since the current calendar year is considered lost, and learners in primary and secondary school will repeat classes in 2021. KCPE and KCSE exams will be held later in the year. The debate about developing a new school calendar remains alive. The fear, however, has been the consequence of doing it wrong, failing to consider the factors at play or appearing to downplay the coronavirus threat.

And now the World Health Organisation and the United Nations Children’s Fund (Unicef) are pushing for the safe but immediate reopening of schools, warning that prolonged closure will lead to a lost generation. A survey done in 39 countries in sub-Saharan Africa shows schools are fully open in only six countries. A dozen countries are planning to resume classroom learning in September, and many others in 2021. The agencies say extended education disruption causes poor nutrition, stress, increased exposure to violence and exploitation, childhood pregnancies, and overall challenges in mental development of children due to reduced interaction.

In their proposals, they are advocating that countries reopen schools but take measures to limit the spread of the virus. We believe the issues raised by these agencies are weighty. The government needs to review its plans while engaging in continuous risk analysis that will guarantee the safety of children, teachers and parents without putting the learners' future in jeopardy. Nothing is cast in stone.  

A good place to start is to ensure schools are well resourced to comply with the Ministry of Health Covid-19 protocols, such as physical distancing, hand washing, having waste management facilities and wearing masks.

Without these, schools may not reopen even if the infection curve is flattened by December. The ministry should consult widely and borrow from the experiences of other nations. It has its work cut out for it.