Schools reopen amid challenges
A section of school heads in Kisii county on Monday said a good number of children reported at the institutions and had taken measures to curb the spread of Covid-19.
KARI primary school head Abed Maseno said 90 per cent of the pupils reported and complied with the prevention measures given by the government on social distance, washing hands and wearing masks.
He said more than 300 pupils in Grade Four and Standard reported at the school and were taught, adding standard eight has 176 pupils and Grade four 150.
The head teacher said the school has set aside an isolation room where pupils with high temperatures are kept and referred to Oresi health centre, a stone throw away for further management.
“ The pupils have occupied 16 classrooms out of 24. The school has 1200 pupils. We will need 40 classrooms to accommodate the children in case the government opens schools for all children,” Maseno said.
The head teacher, flanked by Board of Management member said some parents had offered iron sheets to construct extra classrooms to accommodate the high number of learners.
He cited Fred Nyakundi who had offered 40 iron sheets to build the temporary classes to enable learners embrace social distance and urged others to emulate him.
Maseno said all pupils took lunch at the school under the feeding program and are not allowed to leave the school compound till they break to go to their homes, stressing it will curb the spreading of the pandemic.
At St. Alloysius private secondary school, the school’s principal, David Ong’au said few form four students had turned up and expected 52 candidates to turn up before the 12.
“I have held meetings with parents and students and sensitized them on the government’s protocol to curb the disease,” Ong’au said.
The principal noted the parents were willing to bring their children to the school, lacked funds and appealed to the government to support the schools with funds to enhance learning.
He said private schools were most affected, stressing they need funds to buy tents to accommodate the students in case the government orders reopening of schools to all children.
