Parents have questioned Education CS George Magoha's directive on Grade Four and 2020 KCPE, KCSE candidates, urging him to revisit his plan as schools reopen on Monday, May 10.
The guardians lamented that the students would be affected by the three months holiday granted by Magoha as others resume classes.
Grade Four students and the 2020 KCPE candidates expected to join Form One will report to school on July 26 when the 2021 calendar commences.
KCSE candidates will also join universities, colleges and (Technical and Vocational Education and Training) TVETs in the same month.
Parents and education stakeholders raised concerns that the students may slump into bad habits, drug abuse, pregnancies and idleness as witnessed in 2020 when schools were shut down.
"Many parents have brought this concern to my attention and it’s fair that we must get a win-win situation for parents, teachers and the government.
"This is a stakeholders’ engagement and we shall explore best ways of engaging the children," National Parents Association Chairman, Nicholas Maiyo stated on May 6, adding that they will push for a meeting with the government to discuss how to keep the children active.
A number of private schools defied Magoha's directive and asked Grade Four students to report to school on Wednesday, May 12, two days after schools reopen.
Some parents, however, voiced opposition to Grade Four students being recalled to school, saying that private schools were exploiting the students. They urged the institutions to adhere to Magoha's directives.
"We were not consulted and it elicited a lot of concerns with some parents supporting the school while some of us are opposed," a guardian stated on Thursday, May 6.
Magoha explained his decision to direct the students to stay at home, saying that the move would allow other grades to complete their third term as well as maintain the social distance policy issued by the Ministry of Health.
The government allocated Ksh1.9 billion to schools under the Economic Stimulus Programme for the purchase of locally made desks and directed the institutions to install handwashing points and ensure the wearing of face masks. Magoha had earlier on admitted that they are facing challenges in ensuring students maintain social distance.
