Education
Cabinet Secretary George Magoha on Thursday, July 30, announced that all
universities and colleges would reopen for face to face sessions in January
2021 as opposed to September this year.
CS Magoha
arrived at the decision after meeting with stakeholders to deliberate the
preparedness for the phase reopening of the institutions as directed by
President Uhuru.
In a
statement, the education CS stated that only a few institutions have put up the
Ministry of Health measures to curb the spread of COVID-19.
““A survey
of all Teacher Training Colleges, Universities and TVET institutions has shown
that few of them have put in place necessary measures to comply with the
Ministry of Health’s COVID-19 protocols that can guarantee safety of staff and
learners once they reopen,” read part of the statement.
Magoha
stated that the final decision to reopen the institutions would be dependent on
guidance from the Ministry of Health.
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The CS,
however, noted the universities should continue offering virtual learning and
give priority to final year students so that they can graduate.
“Universities
should continue offering virtual learning, examinations and virtual graduations
but in strict adherence observance to quality measures set by the Commission
for University Education’s the University Standards and Guidelines. Priority
should be given to final year students to ensure they can graduate,” said
Magoha.
So far,
Dedan Kimathi University and Riara University are the only institutions that
have held virtual graduations.
Egerton
University is set to hold one on Friday, July 31, while the University of
Nairobi scheduled to have their virtual graduation on September 25.
“The Ministry is looking into ways of supporting continued on-line learning for University students by supporting HELB to facilitate them for the acquisition of on-line learning facilities and resources,” said Magoha in the statement. <iframe width="730" height="500" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/UIf2SFW252o" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen=""></iframe>
