Magoha Gives Directive on Students Who Miss Schools Slots

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Education CS George Magoha addresses the media in October 2020
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Education Cabinet Secretary Prof. George Magoha on Monday, January 4, addressed uncertainty among parents seeking admission in schools that were already full.

Magoha who was inspecting the reopening exercise at Kibera's Olympic Primary School assured parents that children would be accommodated in different facilities.

"Parents seeking placements for their children, this school will not be available. You can see for yourselves, this school has 4,700. We are trying to avoid a situation where children overrun a popular school like Olympic primary in Kibra," the CS stated.

He noted that due to the school's high enrollment of 4,700 pupils, he had further directed an additional 140 desks to be brought to the school.

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Education CS George Magoha assesses Langas Primary School in Eldoret, Uasin Gishu County on Friday, November 6, 2020
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Magoha added that no child would be turned away due to lack of space in any school.

"The work of the parent is to bring the child to school. If there is no space, county education directors will ensure that the child is admitted where there is a vacancy.

"If you know of a child who has gone to a government school and cannot be placed in that school, then tell us and we shall act," he stated.

The Education CS acknowledged that it would be hard to maintain social distancing in the schools, observing that apart from overcrowding everything else was normal.

"Every child is masked and most of the face masks were provided by the government of Kenya," he stated.

Speaking in an interview on Monday morning, Education CAS Zack Kinuthia stated that the government expected a 96% resumption of students. 

He also addressed the concern that schools would face congestion problems when full learning resumes. 

“The issue of social distancing in our schools will be a bit challenging and if we were to give up, so many students will not be able to go to school.

“Most of us who went to public schools looked forward to hearing the teacher saying carry your chairs and let us meet under the tree, why is it controversial now?” he questioned. 

Zachary Kinuthia appointed by President Uhuru Kenyatta as Chief Administrative Secretary (CAS) in the Ministry of Education on January 14, 2020.
Zachary Kinuthia appointed by President Uhuru Kenyatta as Chief Administrative Secretary (CAS) in the Ministry of Education on January 14, 2020.
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