Avert further coronavirus infections in schools

Since the partial reopening of schools in October, many of them have had their fair share of challenges. The challenges revolve around restrictions induced by Covid-19 and the need to ensure that the school environment is safe for learners.

Form Four students, Class Eight and Grade four learners resumed schooling last month after seven months of closure as a safety precaution against Covid-19. Plans by the Ministry of Education to allow back more students in the phased reopening were put on hold following Wednesday's presidential directive that schools reopen in January 2021.

The students who are already in school will continue with their studies despite the surge in Covid-19 cases that have also been reported in a number of schools. In Bahati Girls in Nakuru County, 68 students and five teachers have tested positive. In Kolanya Boys, Busia County, 52 students and six teachers have tested positive. Unfortunately, the Principal of Tononoka High school, Mombasa and a teacher at Reuben Cheruiyot Secondary school, Baringo County lost their lives to Covid-19. 

Such incidences, we must admit, do not inspire confidence in learners and teachers in schools. Already, some teachers have complained that their students, gripped by the fear of contracting Covid-19, have lost concentration in class. We cannot blame them. In fact we should be careful not to turn schools into new coronavirus hotspots.

The Ministry of Education should go beyond giving directives and assurances to parents and students and ensure school environments are actually safe. The ministry should speed up the process of providing face masks to schools, carry out regular inspections to ensure compliance with set rules and above all, hasten disbursement of funds to schools. It is not enough that school heads should be directed to do certain things. They must be facilitated to do so.