Schools to re-open in January 2021, CS Magoha

Education Cabinet Secretary, Professor George Magoha has shelved the planned re-opening of schools in September 2020 and in turn announced that all basic learning institutions will reopen in January 2021 due to increasing spike in COVID-19 cases in the country.

Speaking at the Kenya Institute of Curriculum Development, Professor Magoha said that the learning calendar for academic year 2020 would be considered lost due to COVID-19 interruption.

Below is a summary of Magoha’s speech;

All schools to reopen in January 2021. All students to repeat their classes.

Exam to be done next year 2021 for the 2020 KCSE and KCPE cohorts.

Academic calendar for 2020 is herby suspended completely.

All learners in grade 1 to 4, Standard 5 to 7 and form 1 to 3 to remain in the current classes in 2021.

TVET Institutions to reopen on September and must adhere to MOH   COVID-19 directives.

Universities and Colleges that meet the irreducible minimums on COVID-19 regulation to consider reopening from September.

Standard 8 and Form Four candidates will resume studies in September this year and sit their national exam later in 2021. There will be two form one classes in 2021

“Stakeholders have shelved the initial proposal to reopen schools in September for Standard eight and form four candidates. Universities will be allowed to reopen if they meet all the requirements set by MOH, and must be inspected. Members of staff must agree on how they will do a phased reopening.”

2020 candidates will sit for the national exams in the tail end of 2021, announces that the 2020 education calendar will be considered lost due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Magoha announced that schools will only be reopened if the daily percentage of COVID-19 cases reduce within 14 days.