Education Cabinet Secretary Professor George Magoha has warned senior school teachers against misusing school money. The CS expressed his confidence that schools were ready to reopen noting that the treasury will release Ksh.19B to schools.
Many parents have expressed their unpreparedness for school reopening after a long period break caused by COVID-19. Many parents are hoping to beat the last-minute rush defined by long ques and shortages.
But the concerns by parents over the safety of schools also played stage on Monday. Headteachers from primary schools also met to deliberate on this genuine issue as they prepared their schools and teachers ahead of January resumption of learning.
One of their main concern was dealing with social distancing even as it emerged that some schools have few classrooms. Olympic Primary School, for instance, with a population of over 5,000 pupils has only 51 classrooms.
In an ideal situation, more than 190 classrooms will be required to meet the Covid-19 precaution measures of 15-20 learners per classroom.
The Kenya Primary School Heads Association (KEPSHA) chairman Mr Nicholas Gathemia said they will have to renovate including staggering learning. Proposals emerged during the meeting for schools to use digital learning to meet the syllabus coverage timeline.
The headteachers urged the government to allocate them with adequate resources to enhance preparedness since they will be wrestling with an influx of pupils from primary schools that were shut down during the pandemic.
While touring schools in Kisumu, Professor Magoha assured the headteachers that the government would release the Ksh.19 billion in good time. He also revealed that more than 5,000 desks have already been distributed to schools across the country.
“We are going to leave no stone unturned. Over Ksh.14 Billion will go to secondary schools and that Ksh.4 billion will go to primary schools. Please use the money for the purpose of which it was meant.” Said the CS.
Magoha also stated that underprivileged learners will get face masks but also urged parents to buy more masks for their children.
