CS Magoha: All tutors must undergo test for Covid-19
Brian Malila
Colleges must test all tutors two weeks before resumption of studies in September as the government pledged to continue funding them even in the period students are out of school due to Covid-19.
Speaking during a consultative meeting with principals of teachers training colleges at Kenya School of Government (KSG) in Embu yesterday, Education CS Prof George Magoha warned those who fail to test will not be allowed to open.
Also Read:
The CS revealed that the biggest challenge in opening schools as earlier planned is adherence to the social distancing guideline in schools.
“With the plans to open the schools the elephant in the house is social distance; how will our children seat in classes? That is the question we are thinking about as government,” said the CS.
Magoha said this year’s examinations would go on smootly and that he had directed Kenya National Examinations Council (KNEC) to hold several metings to arrive at the most suitable approach ahead of the exercise.
He said the Government cannot put the lives of learners at risk and would thus ensure that all the laid-down protocols are observed.
The CS cutioned private developers encroaching on school land that stern action would taken against them.
“People are producing kids and other people are taking up land meant for schools; we will not entertain this ,” said Magoha.
Magoha’s decision comes on the heels of his June directive to vice-chancellors and principals of colleges to formulate plans to re-open the institutions.
In the plan, the universities were asked to develop prevention protocols to stem the spread of coronavirus as the government plans to reopen learning institutions in September.
Minimum requirements upon re-opening have been outlined as clean running water and soap for hand-washing or hand sanitiser.
The institutions will also be required to sanitise often-touched objects such as door knobs, light switches and stair railings with disinfectant.
Lecture halls and common spaces will be need to ensure adequate space for social distancing where universities may put signs to require staff, students and limited interactive programmes.
Other requirements are mandatory use of masks or face shields for learners, lecturers and non-teaching staff.
Lastly, universities must have thermal guns for monitoring the temperatures of all persons entering the intuitions and specific public spaces on campus.
