Kenya National Union of Teachers (Knut) and Universities Academic Staff Union (Uasu) are proposing schools to remain closed until September 2020.
"Reopening of schools, colleges and universities must be transparent, phased and coupled with clear communication by government and public universities, colleges and schools, with the input of public health professionals, frontline healthcare professionals, educators, academic staff and the unions," they said in a statement.
In their submission to the National Emergency Response Committee, the team said prior to reopening of schools, the government with the support and input of stakeholders need to prepare critical policies, procedures and financing plans needed to improve schooling, with a focus on safe operations, including strengthening remote learning practices.
"That an elaborate and solid plan on Occupational Safety and Health Assessment for all schools by Safety Consultants from the Directorate of Occupational Safety and Health be put in place," they said
They have also called for the government to do mass testing for all students and teachers of boarding schools before re-opening schools once the pandemic is contained and those who are sick be allowed to stay home until full recovery before resumption of learning.
Further, they have called on recruitment of more teachers and school workers to support the expected intensive teaching and learning.
