Release funds for schools to prepare for reopening, Kuppet says

Kuppet Secretary-General Akelo Misori speaking on September 24, 2020.

Photo credit: Faith Nyamai | Nation Media Group

What you need to know:

  • Mr Misori said schools need funds to improve classrooms, sanitation facilities, dormitories and creation of isolation rooms to manage emergencies.
  • He said the National Treasury must not pull back the progress being made to reopen schools by holding onto school funds.
  • Kuppet Chairman Omboko Milemba said the government should also provide facemasks to all students.

The Kenya Union of Post-Primary Teachers (Kuppet) has asked the government to release funds meant to prepare schools for safe reopening before next week

Kuppet Secretary-General Akelo Misori Thursday said the government must pull up its socks in dealing with the situation in schools.

“The Treasury and the Ministry of Education must expeditiously release capitation funds for the development of infrastructure required to control the spread of the coronavirus,” said Mr Misori.

Mr Misori said schools need funds to improve classrooms, sanitation facilities, dormitories and creation of isolation rooms to manage emergencies.

Kuppet said many schools have made little progress to make them ready for resumption of learning under the Covid-19 protocols.

Mr Misori said the National Treasury must not pull back the progress being made to reopen schools by holding onto school funds.

Desks

“Even the desks currently being procured by the ministry are yet to reach the schools earmarked for them,” said Mr Misori.

He said the government must also ensure the funds have been released to schools to enable them sustain learners when they report back.

Kuppet Chairman Omboko Milemba said the government should also provide facemasks to all students.

“The government only needs Sh1 billion to supply facemasks to all learners in both primary and secondary schools,” he said.

Mr Misori further said the Education ministry should also map out private schools that have closed down during the pandemic and ensure a smooth relocation of their learners.

“Indeed the reopening has come a little bit late, as a union we urged the government to start a partial reopening of schools in May starting with examination classes,” he said.