Masks, handwashing and excitement as children troop back to school

Open day at Star of the Sea Primary School, Mombasa

Children across Kenya returned to school on Monday morning, with many unable to hide their excitement at the prospect of being able to spend time with their peers after months of being cooped up at home due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

In Kakamega County, the children could be seen hugging one another while on the road, even though at school some did not have facemasks on as required by government back-to-school guidelines. Some of those with masks were not wearing them properly.

At Kakamega Primary School, children were screened as they entered the compound. Afterwards, they were required to wash their hands at a handwashing station nearby before entering their respective classrooms. 

Kakamega Primary School pupils get screened as they report to school on October 12, 2020.

Photo credit: Isaac Wale | Nation Media Group

Students inside a classroom at Kakamega Primary School on October 12, 2020.

Photo credit: Isaac Wale | Nation Media Group

In Turkana County, pupils excitedly rushed to report to school but notably, most did not have face masks.

Students in Turkana report back to school on September 12, 2020.

Photo credit: Peter Warutumo | Nation Media Group

At Wabera Primary in Isiolo County, learners reported back while donning facemasks. In class, they were also spaced to ensure social distancing during lessons.

A teacher takes Grade Four pupils at Wabera Primary in Isiolo through a Mathematics lesson on October 12, 2020.

Photo credit: Waweru Wairimu | Nation Media Group

At Mwariki Primary school in Nakuru Town, 116 of its 220 candidates reported to school on Monday morning.

The institution serves learners from Nakuru's slum areas of Kaptembwa, Kivumbini, Bondeni and Flamingo among others. The learners have been accommodated in seven classrooms.

Class eight candidates at Mwariki Primary school in Nakuru Town.

Photo credit: Eric  Matara | Nation Media Group

At Kamurugu Primary School in Embu County, learners arrived to find one classroom dotted with cowdung.

The classroom was used to keep cows during schools' closure and was yet to be cleaned.

Kamurugu Primary School where one classroom was used to keep cows when learners were at home.

Photo credit: David Muchunguh | Nation Media Group

Due to the floods in Nyando Constituency, some schools have been forced to merge. 

For instance, in Kandaria Primary School, pupils were forced to move to Ugwe Primary School. 

See more photos from across the country here