The Kenyan government plan for resumption of learning in estates and villages following the closure of schools due to the COVID-19 pandemic has suffered a setback.
The High Court on Tuesday stopped the Ministry of Education from rolling out the community-based learning.
In his judgment, Justice James Makau issued the temporary order to Education CS George Magoha following a petition filed by a parent challenging the government’s decision to close schools.
According to the parent, Joseph Enock Aura, the decision to close schools was draconian and a violation of learners’ rights and provisions of the Basic Education Act.
According to him, the directive is questionable as it was neither published in the Kenya Gazette nor tabled in the National Assembly for debate and approval.
The father of three urges the court to declare that the conversion of 431 learning institutions and schools into Covid-19 quarantine facilities was in violation of the Public Health Act.
The petitioner is seeking orders to compel the Education ministry to reopen in-person learning institutions and schools from September 1. The case will be mentioned on September 9.
