A number of Kenyan institutions of higher learning opened their doors to faculty members and students on Monday after nearly seven months of closure meant to curb the spread of COVID-19.
Education officials said the decision to resume in-person learning at the tertiary institutions was informed by the declining risk of COVID-19 transmissions and deaths countrywide amid strict adherence to containment measures.
George Magoha, cabinet secretary, Ministry of Education said that universities, mid-level colleges and technical and vocational training institutes (TVETs) had put solid measures in place to ensure their reopening does not compromise the health of students and tutors.
“A rigorous assessment conducted by the government in the last few weeks revealed that a good number of institutions of higher learning are adequately prepared to re-admit students,” Magoha said during a tour of central Kenya counties.
These institutions have invested in COVID-19 prevention measures like proper sanitation and temperature screening at the entrance, he added.
Kenya’s ministry of education on September 29 said that phased reopening of tertiary institutions would commence on October 5, amid confidence in their ability to shield learners and tutors from COVID-19 risks.
Magoha said that final year candidates would be the first to report to universities and colleges but were required to socially distance themselves while in lecture halls and observe hand hygiene to minimize the risk of contracting the virus.
“The reopening of these institutions of higher learning will also be pegged on their ability to test, isolate and contact trace in case a COVID-19 positive case is discovered,” said Magoha.
He said that community transmission of coronavirus had declined significantly across the country, hence paving the way for the resumption of in-person learning at colleges and universities.
“It is our hope the country will flatten the curve soon to facilitate the full reopening of learning institutions,” said Magoha.
“The process has already started in neighboring countries and we have the capacity to manage it without exposing students to the risk of COVID-19,” he added
President Uhuru Kenyatta in late March suspended learning at basic and tertiary institutions after the initial COVID-19 positive cases were reported in the country to avert widespread transmission.
The move which affected nearly 18 million learners was billed as a game-changer in the fight against a pandemic that has devastated key sectors of the economy while disrupting livelihoods.
Kenyatta in his televised address to the nation on September 28 emphasized that reopening of schools and colleges will only be conducted in a manner that does not jeopardize the health of young learners and their tutors.
“The most important question is not when the reopening of learning institutions will commence but whether these facilities are capable of mitigating the risk of COVID-19 to students and teaching staff,” said Kenyatta.
