Education CS George Magoha has said the ministry will on Wednesday engage President Uhuru Kenyatta over a plan to fully reopen learning institutions.
Magoha argued that the children are better at school hinting on possibility of earlier reopening amid a surge in the number of Covid-19 cases.
Magoha spoke as he inspected the delivery of desks bought under a Sh1.9 billion tender stimulus package at Mukuru Primary School in Nairobi.
“Opening for other students there is consultations in all government levels. On Wednesday we will engage the President then we will call for our internal meeting,” Magoha said.
The CS further called for calm noting that the ministry was handling the breakout of Covid-19 at Maranda High school insisting that the matter “is under control and the students are being isolated.”
Last Thursday, Magoha said the ministry will soon be meeting stakeholders to reach a consensus on the reopening of schools.
“As we watch this week lets us not be too intrusive… We are hoping for the very best…at the right time we shall open for the rest of the students” Magoha said
The ministry of education and that of health have been monitoring events since the partial re- opening of schools early last month that saw Grade 4, standard eight and Form four learners resume learning under a revised calendar.
The closure of schools in March, resulting from the coronavirus pandemic, had seen societal vices including teen pregnancies, early marriages and childlabour impact on the lives of learners.
Proponents of the full re-opening of schools argue that the country risks losing an entire generation with children said to suffer mild effects of Covid- 19 disease and hopes of getting a vaccine. This even as possible lockdown measures appear imminent with bars and restaurants the most possible casualties.
Magoha also noted that all schools have complied with what is required except one school, which he declined to name on basis of giving them a chance to get their act in order.
On the supply of desks to schools, Magoha said Education ministry officials have been deployed across the nation to ensure the desks are delivered as per government specifications.
“Every school in Nairobi shall get the desks… payment will be through M-Pesa. There is a small percentage of artisans who haven’t been cooperative,” he said.