Ministry of Health told to vacate, fumigate public schools used as quarantine centres

Ministry of Health told to vacate, fumigate public schools used as quarantine centres

Ministry of Education officials have now requested their Health counterparts to vacate and fumigate public schools that were used as quarantine facilities for COVID-19 patients ahead of planned reopening of institutions.

Education Principal Secretary Belio Kipsang, in a letter to Health PS Susan Mochache, said stakeholders had noted the COVID-19 curve has been flattening hence resolved to reopen learning institutions earlier than initially projected.

“Arising from the above, and aware that the public schools were used both as quarantine and isolation facilities, we are requesting that these schools are vacated and fumigated by September 28, 2020 to enable the heads of schools prepare them for eventual reopening,” said PS Kipsang.

This comes as the Teachers Service Commission (TSC) also issued a raft of new arrangements teachers are expected to make when they report back to school on the same date, September 28.

TSC has directed teachers to ensure thorough cleaning of classrooms, offices, dormitories, and all school amenities so as to ensure they’re in habitable conditions for learners.

They have also been instructed to develop innovative strategies designed to offer psychosocial support to learners, parents and other stakeholders.

TSC CEO Nancy Macharia, in the circular, urged teachers to prepare curriculum delivery materials including timetables, schemes of work, lesson plans and related activities.

Primary and secondary school teachers have been ordered to return to school by Monday next week in preparation for the eventual reopening of learning institutions due in a fortnight.

Speaking on September 21, 2020 after a stakeholders meeting at the Kenya Institute of Curriculum Development (KICD) to review the reopening plan, Education Cabinet Secretary Prof. George Magoha said it was time for children to resume school without giving the exact reopening date.

Sources within the meeting have however revealed to Citizen TV that three dates have been recommended, subject to how soon teachers will prepare the schools.

If within one week all is well, schools could reopen on October 4, 2020; if more preparations are needed then the opening dates will be pushed to 0ctober 12. On the extreme, the final date of reopening is pegged on October 19, 2020.

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COVID-19 teachers tsc Prof. George Magoha PS Belio Kipsang School reopening

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