The Education Cabinet Secretary (CS), Prof. George Magoha has said that social distancing in schools will be a major challenge ahead of the planned September re-opening even as the country battles the Covid-19 pandemic.
Speaking on Wednesday when he toured the Kitui County Textile Centre (KICOTEC), the CS said the existing infrastructural challenge in public schools across the country will make it impossible to accommodate between 15 and 20 learners per classroom as proposed by the Education Ministry.
“You and I know that infrastructure is a serious challenge in this country. That is why we are committed to ensure that every learner gets at least two high quality facemasks to be worn at all times so as to protect them from coronavirus,” he announced.
The CS announced that teachers will be required to report two weeks prior to the planned reopening to necessitate specialized training on management of Covid-19 cases in schools.
He added that the government will procure 24 million face masks from government institutions of Rivatex, Kicotec and the National Youth Service (NYS) for school children ahead of September re-opening.
Prof. Magoha said the ministry was assessing government owned institutions’ capacity to deliver the masks ahead of the re-opening according to the agreed prototype safe for children usage.
“The government is looking at its facilities in order to fast track the production of face masks. The single prototype mask developed by the Ministry of Education and Ministry of Health has crafted four sizes for school going children,” he said.
By Yobesh Onwong’a
