Reopening of schools- Learners to receive free masks as Rivatex is contracted to produce 24 million masks

The government has contracted Rivatex East Africa for the production of 24 million face mask to be given to learners ahead of schools’ reopening in September. Education Cabinet Secretary Professor George Magoha who spoke today at Rivatex said plans are underway to ensure that masks are delivered to all schools by August.

The masks will be of top quality so as not to harm the learners in any way.

“The mask that will be produced will be able to cover the nose and mouse and should not be harmful to the children,” the CS said.

The CS was accompanied by the Principal Secretary State Department for early learning and basic education, Dr. Belio Kipsang. He added that the National Youth Service (NYS) and and other government agencies have also been brought on board to ensure the masks are ready in good time.

Magoha said a prototype will be produced first before mass production ensures; adding that discussions were still ongoing as pertains the masks.

“Once we fully agree on the prototype, then we shall get the pricing,” he said.

Reports indicate that each learner will receive 2 free reusable masks.

TESTING OF LEARNERS AND TEACHERS

Testing of all teachers and learners for covid 19 was an option the government is mulling.

“We are also still debating as to whether to test all the teachers that are going to back to school, before they go back to schools,” the CS reported.

Testing the more than 300,000 teachers may be a tall order to government given its current limited capacity; which otherwise must be increased tenfold. Another headache would be learners travelling to boarding schools from various parts of the country; and how to ensure they will be covid19 free; before being readmitted.

CS Magoha has been traversing the country to inspect the status of schools’ preparedness with regards to provision of clean, running, water and social distancing.

Ongoing works at Rivatex East Africa. The government has collaborated with the company and other government agencies to produce about 24 million masks to be given to learners when schools reopen in September.

LEARNERS’ PREGNANCIES.

Reports that thousands of learners had been impregnated during the corona break were vehemently rejected by the CS who termed them ‘obnoxious and too high’.

“I want to tell you that pregnancies do not show before they are over three months and if we are talking about the time this started (covid 19), the majority of the pregnancies have not shown,” he said.

He questioned the data and wondered if the children went to them adding that the matter is being investigated using the medical council and other agencies.

“The figures are completely outrageous and should be treated with the contempt that they deserve.” he warned.

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