KNUt secretary general Wilson Sossion has said people are trying to create an unnecessary debate on the matter of reopening of schools. The government on Tuesday said schools are set to be reopened on Monday 12th October, with Grade 4, and Class 8 pupils and Form 4 students reporting first. Some Kenyans have questioned the readiness of the government and schools to set up and follow key Covid-19 infection prevention guidelines like social distancing, and schools’ access to health facilities, especially for schools in the grassroots.
Sossion said preparations have been devolved, and it’s the second week teachers have been in schools to prepare and it doesn’t matter the location of the schools, “We’ve not heard of any limitations since teachers started reporting. We are trying to generate a very unnecessary diversionary debate.” He admitted observing social distancing would be a problem but the reopening of schools has always been in mind.
He stated that KNUT has been on the forefront, and proposed the reopening since June and that the Union has been at the centre of the debate and even hired medical experts to advise on the way forward. “Those who expected the Union would oppose it are very disappointed,” he said. On Wednesday, Education CS Prof. George Magoha said funds released to schools will be received today and that no school principals at boarding secondary schools should dismiss students due to fee arrears once schools reopen.