Schools opening depends on Kenyans behaviour – Magoha
The government will consider reopening of schools across the country only if Kenyans will change their mindset towards Covid-19, education Cabinet Secretary Professor George Magoha has said.
Magoha blamed the Kenyan culture of ignoring simple instructions for increased spread of the contagious virus that has reached a tipping point.
"If we are going to be bold enough to open schools, the public must agree to change their mindset and behave in a morer civilised manner," he said.
Magoha said his ministry is straining to arrive to how students will adhere to social distancing while in schools and have enough flowing water in schools to heighten hygiene.
He said that his ministry has created a committee to evaluate how possible schools will be reopened and urged the public to be calm as the ten-member committee has only sat for only two days.
The Covid-19 national education response committee is chaired by Sarah Ruto who also chairs Kenya Institute of Curriculum Development (KICD).
The CS insisted that he had not sidelined teachers or unionists in the national committee and said that a unionist had been selected to represent and coordinate others.
He said he formed the committee which may not be perfect but it will serve the purpose and urged the public to give their views on what they think should be done.
"We are very serious about thinking what we need to do with our children and it's not about everybody being there. Is the union represented, yes . We have put one unionist who will coordinate all the others and then, let us move to where we are going," he said.
Prof Magoha who spoke after inspecting development of Ruiru girls and boys schools in Kiambu County implored the public to help the Ministry reopen schools sooner by observing the Ministry of Health guidelines.
"In case we are thinking about reopening, we shall need a situation where there will be enough flow of water in all schools. We are also thinking how we will enhance social distancing in all our schools. Having one double decker in one cubicle is something that we will have to reconsider," he said.
Magoha downplayed the World Health Organisation's thought that the virus could move from pandemic which is easier to deal with to endemic.
"I don't subscribe to that school of thought. We need to give the virus a few more months to see how it will pan our," he said.
During his visit, the CS said the ministry would make Ruiru Girls, with a population of 511 girls to a mixed day and boarding centre of excellence owing to its performance and populous nature of the area.
