A law-maker has called on the government to delay the reopening of schools to January next year to monitor corona virus infection patterns and have in place effective health infrastructure to tackle any infections in the Counties.
The Thika MP, Patrick Wainaina said the September proposal by the Education Ministry is untenable, as the virus is spreading fast across the counties adding that reopening schools would be risky to pupils.
Speaking in Thika Town on Monday when he met a few parents who wanted clarification on the matter, the MP said the country is not well prepared to reopen schools before January.
He said the country stood to lose the gains it has made since Covid-19 struck in March if schools are reopened.
“For example, most schools in Thika constituency have about 1,500 pupils and each pupil can infect more than 10 people in a day. It means the disease can spread so quickly from schools. We may live to regret. It doesn’t harm if we delayed a little to January when the virus may have cleared off,” said Wainaina.
This comes as Education Cabinet Secretary (CS), Prof. George Magoha indicated that schools will reopen in September ending a six month’s wait at home.
He said each class will have 15-20 pupils each, and pupils will be given two masks each by the government to prevent them from contracting the disease.
The parents, led by Maryanne Wambui said they will not send their children to schools since the country was still recording Covid-19 infections.
She said they rather stay with their children at home until the virus is completely contained.
On the reopening of churches, the MP said it was necessary as it would act as an indicator on whether to reopen congregational meetings.
He said churches should be attended by adults and time locked to a few hours as they observe other health protocols of social distancing and wearing facemasks.
“Only mainstream church sessions should be reopened. The opening of Bible study groups and Sunday schools for children should be delayed. If churches reopen and the virus does not spread, then it will act as an indicator to reopen other congregational meetings,” he said.
He called on Counties to move with speed to have enough isolation beds, ICU units and ventilators as directed by President Uhuru Kenyatta during his June 6, address, saying it would signify the country’s preparedness to handle the disease at the county level.
By Muoki Charles
