Education CS George Magoha on Thursday, July 30 announced that colleges and universities would remain closed until January 2021.
In a statement, Magoha noted that most institutions were not well prepared to enforce the prevention measures as recommended by the Ministry.
"All Teachers Training Colleges (TTCs), Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVETs) and Universities will reopen for face-to-face sessions in January 2021.
"A robust multi-sectoral approach will be employed to step up preparedness for reopening in compliance with MOH protocols on mitigating the Covid-19 effects," he stated.
CS Magoha stated that a survey of all TTCs, Universities and TVET institutions had shown that few of them had put in place necessary measures to comply with the Ministry of Health’s Covid-19 protocols that could guarantee safety of staff and learners once they reopen.
He directed that Universities should continue offering virtual learning, examinations and virtual graduations but in strict adherence to quality measures set by the Commission for University Education’s Standards and Guidelines.
The CS added that all institutions would continue making arrangements for re-opening based on the provided guidelines and checklists.
"However, authorization to re-open for face-to-face teaching, learning and research, will be based on further guidance from Ministry of Health based on the dynamics of preparedness," he added.
Prof Magoha further stated that the Ministry was looking into ways of supporting continued on-line learning for University students by supporting HELB to facilitate them for the acquisition of online learning facilities and resources.
He lauded the virtual orientation of first year students that had been undertaken in KCA University in May 2020 and Dedan Kimathi University in June-July, 2020 advising other institutions to take up the move as well.
On graduations, Magoha acknowledged that Dedan Kimathi University and Riara University had held virtual graduations, with Egerton University and the University of Nairobi set to hold their virtual celebrations as well.
At the Basic Education level, stakeholders observed that, although the Kenya Institute of Curriculum Development continues to provide remote learning through radio, television and online programmes, there are some children who are unable to access these programmes.
Magoha further disclosed that the Ministry of Education and TSC, using a multi-agency approach, and in collaboration with chiefs and the Nyumba Kumi initiative, would implement a community-based learning approach where teachers will be mapped with learners to offer learning at no cost.
He stated that TSC would provide guidelines on implementation of the programme.
