Transport Principal Secretary Solomon Kitungu has urged school heads to utilise available empty spaces in schools to enable social distancing among learners and curb the spread of covid-19.
PS Kitungu said dining halls, libraries, laboratories and other spaces should be converted to classrooms or dormitories to help schools comply with the one metre social distance among learners.
Speaking to the press at Makueni Girls’ on Monday during a tour to assess covid-19 preparedness, the PS said the available infrastructure and capacity in schools should be rearranged to ensure safety of learners.
“Head teachers and principals must be innovative and come up with measures to ensure that there is compliance of the covid-19 regulations. They can equally convert the classrooms into dormitories and use tents as class rooms,” he noted.
He was accompanied by Principal Secretary for Defense Dr. Mohamed Ibrahim and Principal Secretary for Maritime Nancy Karigithu.
Others were County Commissioner Maalim Mohammed, County Director for Education James Gachungi, County Teachers Service Commission (TSC) Director Catherine Mwenda among other senior government officials.
The PS noted that although most schools in the county had made efforts to put up basic infrastructure to fight the disease, re-adjustments needed to be done to attain social distancing.
“Most schools have enough hand washing stations, the learners are properly masked but there are a few things that need to be improved on,” added PS Kitungu.
He urged learners to adhere to the covid-19 guidelines to prevent the spread of the virus and ensure continuity in learning.
“We do not want to have a scenario where a school is closed because of coronavirus infections. Schools should take up all measures that are necessary to avoid closure,” noted the PS.
He reiterated the government’s commitment in ensuring 100 percent compliance of covid-19 regulations in all public schools.
‘‘We want to ensure that all students report back to school and settle safely,” said PS Kitungu.
Meanwhile, County Public Health Officer (PHO) Henry Kivuva has dispelled suspicions that two students from Makueni Boys’ whose body temperatures spiked on Monday morning have contracted the virus.
Kivuva said the students who recorded a temperature of 38.5, slightly above the normal range had exhibited no signs for covid-19.
He however said the Department of Public Health was monitoring the two, currently under isolation in the school.
‘‘There is no cause for alarm. We are monitoring the situation closely in collaboration with the school,” said the PHO.
By Roselyne Kavoo
