The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has applauded Kenyan government’s decision to reopen schools after a long period of closure due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

All schools in Kenya have remained closed since March when the first case of Covid-19 was confirmed in the country.

The government of the East African country had in July announced that schools in Kenya will remain closed until next January because of the pandemic.

However, the government rescinded that move with the announcement that schools in the country will reopen from 12 October, 2020, starting with grade four, class eight and form four.

It is understood that the closure of schools in March interrupted learning for more than 17 million students who missed more than six months of formal education.

‘UNICEF welcomes the phased reopening of schools in Kenya’, said the UNICEF Representative to the country, Maniza Zaman.

‘We know that the longer children are out of school, the greater the risk that the poorest among them will never return.

‘They may be sent off to work, married off too early, or face other risks that can curb their development and well-being’.

The UN agency urged parents to bring children back to school as their classes reopen and to continue supporting their learning.

Education Cabinet Secretary Prof. George Magoha announced that the Kenya Certificate of Primary Education (KCPE) examinations will start on 22 March, 2021.

The education ministry directed all schools to strictly adhere to Covid-19 containment measures.

Source: UNICEF

Photo source: Justine Warrington