Magoha warns schools against recalling other classes

The CS warned of unspecified consequences.

Education Cabinet Secretary George Magoha has warned private and international schools against recalling back to school other learners apart from those in Grade Four, Standard Eight and Form Four.

The CS warned of unspecified consequences in the event the ministry’s guidelines on resumption of academic activities by other learners are not followed.

Prof Magoha, who was in Nyeri to inspect production units for desks being distributed to schools, issued what he said was “the last warning”, adding that the government should not be blamed for whatever actions it takes on schools that fail to comply.

“The government has not reopened school for other children whether in public, private or international schools. This is the last warning for whoever feels that he or she is bold enough to challenge the government and reopen the schools,” he said on Wednesday.

In the recent past, there has been an increase in new Covid-19 cases among learners and teachers but the CS declined to take questions on this matter.

Last week, he ruled out closure of schools due to new Covid-19 cases reported among learners and teachers after Grade Four, Standard Eight and Form Four learners reported back.

Prof Magoha said the small pockets of infections in schools are being monitored closely.

On Wednesday, Prof Magoha visited a number of furniture workshops in Nyeri tasked with providing desks to schools. He said he is visiting schools to ensure the desks meet specifications and are of good quality before payments are processed.

The Sh1.9 billion school furniture project, that will see artisans supply 650,000 locally assembled desks, was to be completed by October 19.

He commended a Nyeri-based 26-year-old artisan for delivering 50 out of the 150 desks, saying that, for the next two weeks, the desks will have been made and delivered to all the schools.

“There are a few technicians who have been incited and are returning the forms and, when that happens, we follow procurement rules and award to the next person and the process is still ongoing,” he said.

Nyeri Town MP Ngunjiri Wambugu said that in his constituency, 17 primary schools and 15 secondary schools are to receive at least 50 desks each.