By Will schools really re-open?
President Uhuru Kenyatta today in his speech has expressed concerns on the education sector that is now on the edge. Earlier, all learning institutions were directed to close in order to combat the spread of coronavirus.
Even as June 1st is approaching, parents, teachers and students have doubts that schools will re-open as directed by the ministry amid the rising cases of the Covid-19 being reported each day.
However, the president announced the rolling out of (eight) 8-Point Economic Stimulus Programme, amounting to a total of Ksh53.7 Billion among them education.
President Uhuru Kenyatta says parents and students are worried about when schools will re-open: Photo Courtesy
“I know the anxiety weighing on the minds of parents and their children in regard to when schools will re-open. We will in the very near future, be communicating, what plans and programmes we have for the education sector. In that regard, we have allocated an additional budget of Ksh6.5 Billion to the Ministry of Education” Uhuru said
He added that “The purpose of this is to hire 10,000 teachers and 1,000 ICT interns to support digital learning. The programme will also support the improvement of school infrastructure, including acquisition of 250,000 locally fabricated desks”
The aim of this programme is to get thousands of graduates off the bench and into action while supporting local artisans and builder’s businesses.
With the said programme by the president to employ more teachers to support digital learning, does this mean that the schools will not re-open?
I do believe that the 1st of June 2020 is a bit optimistic but at least there is the direction to start schools again.
Today Uhuru in his speech said that at least 10,000 teachers will be employed to help in digital learning. I feel that schools will not re-open any time soon.