Teachers and parents have raised concerns over the communal learning program (CBL) which took off with registration of teachers underway. The students were at home since the outbreak of CORONA Virus. The students are set to commence learning in January 2021 under the new guidelines.
With the new development on resumption of learning, the Education CS George Magoha disclosed that learners will learn under new program community based learning program (CBL).The programme will see classes undertaken in social halls, under trees and other community spaces with teachers on the government payroll leading lessons.
The CS also directed teachers to register and work in the regions they currently reside in.
Teachers and parents have, however, raised a number of questions on the confusion facing the program. Here are some of the reasons
- The teachers say that their employer; TSC should and must provide to all teachers with the PPE kits and protective gears so that they can engage in this work. They referred their case with that of nurses and doctors who are getting infected and even dying. Teachers will definitely get infected with CORONA Virus.
- Parents want the teachers to go for a thorough COVID 19 training before they start handling their children. It will equip both the teachers and the students with the necessary knowledge on the disease.
- On the other hand, parents need all students and teachers to be tested to ensure no threat of spreading the disease. The testing will make their COVID 19 statuses known before learning commences.
- Parents and children from the slams feel marginalized because they lack the facilities. TSC and the Ministry of Education have not considered their situation. They need the two Ministries to provide classrooms constructed with the considerations and guidelines of ministry of health regarding Measures to limit the spread of COVID 19.
- Teachers need their employer TSC to avail COVID 19 FREE learning / teaching materials. Teachers do not teach from their heads but need reference materials and other resources.
- Referring to the presidential directives, all government workers are to work from home to avoid connections in offices. As a result, many government officers are working from home and only going to office in shifts. The TSC secretariat is also doing the same.
- Government officers above the age of 55 years have been exempted from visiting their work places. No considerations have been put in place for teachers.
From these main reasons and many more, parents and teachers have argued that the Ministry of Education and the teacher’s employer TSC has prematurely brought this idea. The idea still need some refinement