The CS for Education Prof. George Magoha and his counterpart Health CS Mutahi Kagwe, have been offered a solution on how other students can return to school.
Dr Loice Ombajo, who is the Head of the Infectious Disease Unit at the Kenyatta National Hospital (KNH) and an adviser to the Covid-19 Task Force offered the advice.
DR. Ombajo stated that closure of schools was not an option because learning is a very crucial part in every child’s development.
She argued that CS for Education and that for Health should focus on reducing the spread of Covid-19 which spiked after restrictions to curb the spread of the virus were eased.
She further stated that, the situation in the country is worsening, hospitals are overloaded while many health workers are contracting the virus.
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In the phased re-opening of schools, some have already been closed with teachers placed under quarantine and other succumbs to the virus.
Tononoka Secondary School principal Mohammed Khamisi also died of Covid-19 a week after infections were reported among 11 teaching staff.
“It is important that children go to school because learning is a very crucial part of a child’s development. We have allowed everything to reopen and then we shall consider the solution to be school closure.
“We should instead think from the reverse. Let us reduce everything else so that we reduce the amount of Covid-19 and get to a point where we can allow children to go back to school,” she stated.
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Ombajo wants movement and gatherings restricted, arguing that this is the major cause of the second wave.
Businesses are also functioning without regards to Covid-19 restrictions.
This means that lockdowns and review of curfews can be put on the table for consideration if the situation worsens.
She added that COVID-19 sensitization campaigns measures should be on high gear to remind Kenyans to continue fighting the pandemic through social distancing, wearing of masks, washing and sanitizing hands.
She said once these COVID-19 health guidelines and protocols are adhered to and the options are taken, then schools can be re-opened for all students.