Parents flock at uniforms premises in Nyeri ahead of school reopening. [Kibata Kihu, Standard]

It will not be an easy walk for parents seeking to transfer their children from private secondary schools to public institutions, as the government has issued strict guidelines.

Education Cabinet Secretary George Magoha has said students will not be admitted to schools of their choice, unless they meet the required cut-off marks in their Kenya Certificate of Primary Education.

This means that the public schools will revisit the grades learners scored in KCPE before considering them for admission.

Prof Magoha said the ministry expected a mass exodus of learners from private schools that may have closed for not meeting guidelines set by the Ministry of Health on Covid-19 regulations.

Many parents may not afford fees for private schools when they reopen on Monday, forcing them to seek refuge for their children in affordable public institutions.

 

Continue education

The CS said all learners seeking to transit to public schools will be admitted to ensure they continue with education.

“We know most parents will want to take children to the top performing schools. The admission of children will depend on their previous performance,” said Magoha.

Education Cabinet Secretary, Prof George Magoha. [File, Standard]

Candidates affected by the closure of schools have no reason to worry, as Magoha says government is putting in place measures to ensure they sit their examinations at their centres of registration.

“We shall make sure the candidates go to the schools they registered to sit for examinations,” explained Magoha.

Magoha was addressing the media yesterday at Baba Dogo Secondary School in Nairobi when he visited the institution to assess its level of Covid-19 preparedness before reopening.

With the congestion expected in public schools due to the transfers, Magoha said the one-metre social distance requirement was not a practical approach.

Magoha advised teachers to “be innovative according to the situation.” He told them to ensure the spread of the Covid-19 was curbed through proper hygiene and wearing of masks

“We insist on wearing of masks. If that is done, the social distance may not have a big impact,” he said, adding that the state would provide 7 million masks for needy children.

He dismissed critics questioning schools’ preparedness to reopen, saying many institutions were prepared.