Education CS George Magoha on Friday, October 30, acknowledged the cry of parents and other stakeholders who have called on his Ministry to allow all students to resume school.
Speaking from Kereri Girls, Kisii County, the CS said the mass reopening of schools was being considered through wide consultations and that a decision would be communicated soon.
"There is a lot of pressure from the public that we should open our schools but we are still consulting on the issue and the big question, nobody has answers to, because it's like Covid-19 is here to stay," Magoha stated.
The CS, who had gone to inspect the production and supply of assembled desks, warned that Kenyans had put their guard down in terms of following Covid-19 safety guidelines that would help in combating the spread of the disease.
"It looks like Covid-19 is here to stay and our culture is the greatest enemy because even if you go round the markets, people are not wearing masks. If you look around yourselves (referring to journalists), there is no social distancing," Magoha stated.
Magoha further reiterated that students in class 8, form 4 and grade 4 would continue with their studies, despite the spike in numbers witnessed in the past weeks.
"The second peak seems to be higher than the first one but even if there is a third wave, we won't keep our children at home because life must continue but as that life continues, I want to challenge Kenyans to change their culture," he added.
His sentiments came after the Kenya Union of Post-Primary Education Teachers (KUPPET) raised an alarm over the high number of Covid-19 cases being reported in schools.
"My concern is to the government, how many teachers should lose their lives? How many teachers should be confirmed coronavirus positive so that the government can respond?
"My main concern is; does the government have any concern for the teacher? I'm urging the government in the strongest terms possible to know that our lives are at stake," a KUPPET official in Baringo county stated.
In a press briefing on Thursday, October 29, Health CS Mutahi Kagwe stated that the only schools that would be closed are the ones that recorded Covid-19 cases.
