Kenyans reject bid to reopen schools on virus fears

Tuesday, June 16, 2020 0:01

By LYNET IGADWAH

A pupil in Nairobi studies mathematics at home.

PHOTO | EVANS HABIL | NMG 

Seven in every 10 Kenyans do not support the plan to reopen schools, fearing a sharp rise in Covid-19 infections due to a lack of proper measures in the learning institutions to curb the spread of coronavirus.

On June 6, President Uhuru Kenyatta directed the Ministry of Education to prepare for reopening of schools at the beginning of September.

“There is currently very little support for reopening of schools with most people worried that the current return to school will result in spikes of Covid-19 cases in students,” says Infotrak in the survey conducted between May 28 and June 2.

Already sharp divisions have emerged among education stakeholders on when schools should reopen after closing on March 15 due to the outbreak of coronavirus.