Education CS Prof. George Magoha has urge Public and Private schools principals not to send students home due to fee arrears, as schools countrywide reopen. Grade 4, Class 8 and Form 4 students have reported back to schools today. Speaking at the Olympic primary school in Nairobi after pupils reported back, CS Magoha said boarding schools should keep students in school, given that learning in public primary and day secondary schools is free, “For boarding schools, I plead with principals to ensure no child is sent home on account of fees.”
He called out private schools that may seek to send students home because they didn’t take part in online classes, saying all learning will start from where it was halted, “If you send children home because they didn’t engage in online classes, that is criminal and we shall come for you. The fact that it’s a private school doesn’t protect you.”
He called on teachers and school heads to ensure the Covid-19 infection prevention guidelines are strictly adhered to, saying all schools must have a Covid-19 response committee. “You have to get your own ways of procedure. Staff should sit down and identify which is the best way to react quickly if there is a situation that requires attention,” he said, adding that he’s been assured all schools have been connected to health facilities.
He said schools should ensure there is mandatory use of face masks, checking body temperature and they should maintain updated bio data for all students ad staff and contacts of parents and guardians. Further, teachers have been asked to compile a list of learners with preexisting conditions like asthma.
