Our fear is being told to stay away from school for months
Ombaka Primary School pupils line up for temperature screening in Nyando, Kisumu.
What you need to know:
- Is it safer to be at school or at home?
- That is the question on the minds of many students.
With a surge in infections and detection of the Indian Covid-19 variant, particularly in Kisumu and other parts of western Kenya, students are worried about the possibility of another long school closure.
Thinking of shutting schools for close to a year or who knows how long the “holiday” might last is discouraging students from engaging in academic work.
Some say they will give up school and begin looking for jobs if ordered to go back home like it happened in 2020.
Is it safer to be at school or at home? That is the question on the minds of many students.
We are more than happy to remain in school than being at home. The long closure of schools last year was tiring.
According to the Ministry of Health, the number of new daily coronavirus infections is on the increase.
Strict measures
The situation has led to counties in western Kenya being named Covid-19 hotspots.
Hospitals are overwhelmed with patients and an oxygen crisis has hit the region, as the number of critically ill Covid-19 patients grows. The government recently announced strict measures to check the spread of the virus in the Lake region. They include a curfew that begins at 7pm and ends at 4am, closing religious centres and a ban on gatherings.
What is even more worrying is the rising death toll as recoveries reduce.
It means a majority of Kenyans are not observing the guidelines and protocols meant to stop the rapid spread of the deadly illness. Negligence is also to blame.
It is time to enforce the measures. That includes wearing face masks, observing social distance and sanitising.
Health Cabinet Secretary Mutahi Kagwe said breaking the rules would have consequences.
Learners do not know what is in store for them. Everyone is waiting with crossed fingers to hear what Mr Kagwe will say. Let’s hope we will not be told to remain at home for eternity.
Stess, 15, is a Form One student at Friends School Keveye Girls in Vihiga county.
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