Education CS Geroge Magoha is in a rush to beat the deadline set by President Uhuru Kenyatta on the reopening of schools.
CS Magoha has called for a meeting of all education stakeholders set for Monday, September 14, 2020 at the Kenyan Institute of Curriculum Development at 8am.
"Following the presidential directive on convening of the National Consultative Conference to chart Kenya's post Covid-19 future, stakeholders in the education sector need to deliberate and give their input on this critical issue," the document seen by Kenyans.co.ke stated.
The discussions are expected to come up with final guidelines on the resumption of learning after months of confusion and anxiety that has left parents and students frustrated.
CS Magoha only has one week left to consolidate the input of education stakeholders and present it to President Kenyatta at the National Consultative Conference.
In his 11th address to the nation about the Covid-19 pandemic, the head of state directed that the conference would be convened in three weeks from August 26.
Ahead of the reopening of schools, the Cabinet Secretary also warned stakeholders against engaging in corruption in regards to the supply of 622,357 desks, lockers, and chairs to schools.
The government allocated Ksh1.9 billion under the Economic Stimulus Programme for the furniture upgrade which targets SMEs and local artisans.
“This is not the time to ask ‘what’s in it for me?’ We are doing this for our children. As far as this project is concerned, there is nothing we cannot address. If there are bottlenecks, talk to us directly – not the usual bureaucratic practices,” he said.
To ensure openness, transparency and nondiscrimination in identification of the suppliers, the government has deployed the model that was used to identify the beneficiaries of the Covid-19 weekly stipend, the Kazi Mtaani Initiative, and Older Persons Cash Transfer.
With the presumption that the majority of the prospective suppliers may not have the capacity to deliver on such a project, the government will fund them with up to 50 percent front load.
National government administrators and field officers have been directed to follow through all aspects of the supply.
Design prototypes and technical specifications have been availed to all County Commissioners, Deputy County
Commissioners and County Directors of Education.
