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>