Universities and colleges in Kenya will reopen next Monday, October 5.
This was decided yesterday by Education Minister George Magoha, in accordance with the presidential directives issued during the speech to the Kenyatta Nation last Monday on the coronavirus pandemic and following extensive consultations with stakeholders.
"We will begin the process of gradual reopening of schools from universities and tertiary institutions with effect from Monday, October 5, 2020," confirmed Magoha.
Obviously, the Minister reiterated that it will be the Institutes' Councils to announce the start dates of the lessons, based on the preparation of their teachers and the learning of the prevention rules of the Covid-19, but also after the assurance of the maximum fidelity to the protocols and guidelines of the Ministry of Health Covid-19.
Many of the colleges and universities involved in the reopening process have also been used as supplementary isolation and quarantine centers. In this case, they will need to be fumigated under the supervision of health officials prior to reopening.
"All learning institutions should also provide psychological and spiritual support to students and staff during the ongoing pandemic," Magoha announced.
The Minister has delegated to the Institute Councils and principals of the institutions to ensure full compliance with the guidelines and protocols issued by the Ministry of Health, otherwise they will be closed for violation of protocols and guidelines.
This is the first step towards the total reactivation of education in Kenya that, after the universities and technical training courses will see the final classes of primary and secondary school, which would be taken to the exams of the school year 2020 by April 2021.
All other students could wait until January 2021 to resume regular classes.