Education Ministry releases finer details on schools’ reopening, restricts co-curricular activities and assemblies

The Ministry of education has released finer details on schools’ reopening. Through a circular released by Basic Education Principal Secretary, Dr. Belio Kipsang, the Ministry says Co-curricular activities and school assemblies should be restricted, taking into
account the social distancing protocols.

Here is the full presser;

RE: PHASED RESUMPTION OF FACE TO FACE LEARNING IN ALL SCHOOLS IN KENYA

The progressive re-opening of schools for face-to-face learning will commence with Grade 4 (Competency Based Curriculum Pioneer Class), Class 8 and Form 4 on Monday, 12th October, 2020. Learners from both public and private schools will reopen for Term 2 of the 2020 academic calendar.

The Ministry had earlier released health and safety protocols for implementation by all learning institutions in readiness for the resumption of face-to-face learning. These measures are in line with the guidelines from the Ministry of Health, and will be used as the basis for decision-making on COVID-19 containment.

At the same time, training manuals for school managers, teachers and learners have been prepared and released to schools in preparations for reopening. Although physical distancing will remain a challenge, it should not be used as a bottleneck to keep any child away from school.

Consequently, you are directed to ensure compliance with the following Revised Academic Calendar for Schools in 2020 as per the Cabinet Secretary’s directive. The 2021 Academic Calendar will be released at a later date.

Here is the revised 2020 school calendar;

N.B: Schools offering International Curriculum will also resume face-to-face learning on
12th October, 2020.

See also;

• Reopening of private schools; Circular to all private schools
• Revised 2020 primary and secondary schools calendar
• CS Magoha reopens schools

Schools should therefore note the following:

1. All Schools shall engage with students to build confidence about COVID-19 preventive and control measures to ensure health and safety of all persons in the school communities. The first few days should be spent orienting learners on COVID-19 protocols.

2. Schools shall ensure mandatory use of face masks, monitoring of body temperature for learners, staff and all other persons accessing the schools, hand-washing and observance of high levels of hygiene. Each learner will be expected to have at least two reusable face masks, preferably which can be washed, and that meet the Kenya Bureau of Standards (KEBS) requirements.

3. Schools shall maintain updated bio-data for all learners and staff and contacts of their parents/guardians for easy management of COVID-19 and other related emergencies.

4. All Schools shall provide adequate water, soap, cleaning detergents and disinfectants to ensure proper hygiene practices. Where water is not available, schools must make hand sanitizers available.

5. All schools shall ensure that school transportation comply with Legal Notice No.50 of 6th April, 2020, which require vehicles to carry not more than 50% of the capacity or as shall be advised by relevant authority from time to time.

6. All schools shall ensure daily cleaning and disinfection of surfaces and objects that are frequently touched by many people (stair railings, desk tops, knobs, light switches, walls, desks, door frames and window handles. Schools shall put up signs and posters that require and remind staff, students and visitors to maintain social distancing as well as hand washing and personal hygiene.

7. All Principals and Head teachers shall ensure proper use of facial masks or face shields that must be worn by all students, staff and any other person accessing the school.

8. All schools shall ensure availability of thermal guns for daily monitoring of body temperature for all students, staff and visitors.

9. Schools shall strengthen guidance and counselling services and provide psychosocial support, pastoral and spiritual care to learners and staff.

10. All unnecessary visits by outsiders shall be restricted. School functions like parents’ days and inter-schools’ activities are suspended for the time being.

11. All schools have been linked to the nearest public health facility prior to being re-opened. Telephone contacts of the institutions should be available to schools in case of emergencies.

12. Each school shall constitute a COVID-19 Response Commiitee and maintain strong networks with the nearest health facility, the County Rapid Response team, National Government Administrative Office and nearest Education Office to strengthen support mechanisms.

13.Co-curricular activities and school assemblies should be restricted, taking into account the social distancing protocols.

The Ministry of Education, in collaboration with the Ministry of Health, will continuously monitor adherence to “Guidelines on Health and Safety Protocols for Reopening of Basic Education Institutions amid COVID-19 Pandemic” in order to determine when to re-open for all other learners in primary and secondary schools.

It should be pointed out that the country is still recording new cases of COVID-19 hence the need for strict adherence to all Government mitigation protocols al all times.

Detailed guidelines and protocols for schools reopening and continued learning are accessible on the Ministry of Education website; http://www.education.go.ke or at the nearest Ministry of Education offices.

You are required to strictly adhere to all the reopening dates and protocols.