Chief Administrative Secretary (CAS) for Education Zack Kinuthia has said that the government is ready for reopemomg of schools on January 4th.
Kinuthia said measures have been put in place to ensure the safety of both learners and teachers to curb the spread of Covid-19.
‘‘The government is prepared for reopening and there is no turning back,’’ said the CAS.
Kinuthia said that delivery of lockers and desks in public primary and secondary schools was in top gear to ensure learners maintain social distancing when the schools reopen.
‘‘In Makueni the delivery stands at 58 percent and we are appealing to those that have been given the contracts to fast track the exercise and ensure that the lockers and desks are delivered in the respective schools by December 31,’’he said.
The CAS called on school heads to ensure that all learners report back to school and warned that the government will take action against parents whose children will not resume classes.
‘‘Even for those learners that fell pregnant we want them to report back to school to continue with classes until. No student should fail to report to school,’’ added Kinuthia.
He also directed public schools to admit learners from private schools that were closed due to the pandemic.
‘‘Most of the public schools are not full and they should accommodate the learners, although there are challenges the government has enough resources,’’ said Kinuthia.
The CAS called on education stakeholders to adhere to the government protocols on Covid-19 once schools resume.
‘‘We appeal to parents to ensure that learners have face masks. School heads should also ensure that institutions have enough washing stations and students maintain social distance,’’ he added.
Speaking to the press on Monday in Wote when he toured the county to assess the level of preparedness the CAS also dispelled claims that the government plans to increase universe fees.
He dismissed the claims as misleading and assured parents and students that there will be no increment.
‘‘The government has no plans whatsoever to charge more fees. Our plan is to ensure that both basic and university education is free,’’ said Kinuthia.
Makueni County Commissioner Maalim Mohamed speaking earlier in his office when the CAS paid him a courtesy visit said that his office will collaborate with relevant stake holders to ensure that all students in the county will resume learning once schools reopen.
‘‘We are expecting over close 400,000 students to report back to school and we will collaborate and ensure that every student is accounted for,’’ said Maalim.
On desks and lockers, the county commissioner disclosed that the county was expecting to deliver 8,600 lockers to 172 secondary schools while 135 primary schools will have 9,450 desks delivered for proper social distancing among learners.
By Roselyne Kavoo
