Teachers and parents have raised concerns over the communal learning program which took off with registration of teachers underway. Students stuck at home during the Covid-19 crisis are set to commence learning in September 2021 under the new guidelines.
On Thursday, July 30, Education CS George Magoha disclosed that the new program will see classes undertaken in social halls, under trees and other community spaces with teachers on the government payroll leading lessons.
The CS also directed teachers to register and work in the regions they currently reside in.
Teachers and parents have, however, raised questions on the confusion facing the program, with parents casting doubts on the safety of their children.
The teachers argued that they were yet to be directed on how they will protect themselves and students from contracting Coronavirus (Covid-19), location of learning venues and how to conduct the program.
Kenya National Union of Teachers (KNUT) executive member Dan Aloo stated that teachers were yet to be provided with Personal Protective Equipment (PPEs).
"Safety of our teachers should be the most critical issue. The Ministry of Health should also map out Covid-19 hotspots and provide allowances," Aloo stated.
A number of teachers are pushing for the government to reopen schools in phases rather than adopt the communal learning program. The program, they stated, will affect levels of discipline in students who will be exposed to new learning environments.
Education CS George Magoha opposed the phased reopening, citing that Kenya will record an upsurge of Covid-19 cases in the period between September and January 2021.
The CS reiterated that reopening of schools will be guided by the Ministry of Health after Covid-19 cases flatten for 14 consecutive days.
The Ministry of Education scrapped off the entire 2020 academic year and cancelled KCPE and KCSE exams. All learning institutions were directed to reopen in January 2021.
