Gov’t Announces Reopening Dates For Kenyan Learners

The Ministry of Education on Tuesday announced the reopening dates for learners bringing to an end the back and forth regarding exactly when the country would start easing restrictions in the education sector.

In a statement to newsrooms, Education Cabinet Secretary Prof George Magoha announced Monday, October 12 as the return date for Grade 4, Class 8, and Form Four learners only.

According to the statement, the Kenya Certificate of Primary Education (KCPE) examinations will start on March 22, 2021, and end on March 24, 2021.

On the other hand, Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) examinations will start on March 25, 2021, and end on April 16, 2021.

The Ministry plans to return to normalcy progressively and urgency not to cram the school calendar seems to have informed the decision to have Grade 4, Class 8, and Form 4 as the first batch to return to school.

“Pursuant to the Presidential Directive issued during the Twelfth (12th) Presidential Address to the Nation on the Coronavirus Pandemic on Monday, 28th September 2020, and following broad-based education stakeholder consultations; the Ministry of Education notifies the public that the progressive re-opening of schools will commence with Grade 4 (Competency-Based Curriculum Class), Class 8 and Form 4 on Monday, 12th October 2020,” reads the statement.

This means students returning to school on Monday will resume learning until December 23, 2020 when the second term will end and learners will head for a one-week Christmas break.

Third term will begin on January 4, 2021 and will run until March 19, 2021.

COVID-19 Safety

The Ministry says all schools will be required to enforce mandatory use of face masks in schools upon resumption as per guidelines issued by the Ministry in September.

Schools will also be required to monitor the body temperature for all learners, staff, and all other persons accessing the schools.

All persons within schools’ premises will be required to wash their hands and observe high levels of hygiene.

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