All Education Ministry field officers on leave have been recalled to aid in preparing for the re-opening of schools on January 4, 2021,
The directive was issued by Education PS Belio Kipsang on Thursday, December 24, as the rushes to beat the reopening deadline given by President Uhuru Kenyatta.
The government instructed heads of primary and secondary schools to admit students from private institutions in January 2021.
Most of the private schools were shut down owing to the Covid-19 pandemic. The government failed to cushion these institutions from the effects of the virus opting to support public schools and teachers registered under the Teachers Service Commission (TSC).
Parents who had children in private schools have been rushing to seek admission in public schools. Headteachers lamented that the exercise will lead to congestion in schools.
Others argued that they have not been provided with enough infrastructure to accommodate the new students.
Speaking during the Jamhuri Day celebrations at Nyayo Stadium in Nairobi, the president warned Kenyan parents against failing to comply with the January school reopening directive and tasked the Ministry of Interior to enforce the directive.
“To guarantee that no child is left behind I hereby direct and order as follows; That the Ministry of Interior shall, through all chiefs, account for all children within their jurisdictions.
“I direct that the Ministry of Education shall receive reports from all primary and secondary schools, regardless of the system of education, (and) details of any child or children who have not reported back to school as directed,” he stated.
He also ordered the Ministry of Education to publicize the education policy on school reentry so as to facilitate the readmission for those who may not be able to report due to pregnancy.
Ahead of the resumption of learning, the National Treasury and Planning Post-Covid-19 Economic Recovery Strategy (2020-2021) has allocated a huge chunk of the Ksh929.5 billion to schools.
The government is set to offer facemasks, soap, and sanitizers to learners at the cost of Ksh2.1 billion in a move that will come as a relief to parents.
Education CS George Magoha previously revealed that the government would supply two face masks to learners at a cost of Ksh.2.1 billion with only a few schools getting facemasks.
A total of Ksh500 million will be used to provide facemasks, soaps, and sanitizers in primary schools in 2020, with Ksh600 million, set aside for 2021.
To comply with the Ministry of Health guidelines on social distancing, the Government has allocated Ksh28.8 billion to construct classrooms and refurbish previous ones to expand the learning space.
Secondary schools will use Ksh2.5 billion on building 100 tuition blocks in the next two years.
A total of 6,352 classes, 4,838 sanitation facilities, and 4,366 laboratories will be built using Ksh20.1 billion.
Primary schools have been allocated Ksh1.2 billion to construct classrooms and refurbished ablution blocks.
Water and Sanitation have been revamped in schools with Ksh5 billion set aside to curb the possible spread of the Covid-19 pandemic by improving hygiene.
The Government has committed Ksh10 billion to hire more Primary and Secondary school teachers in the next two years.
The Teachers Service Commission (TSC) has already announced 6,674 vacancies for tutor interns in primary and secondary schools.
