Here Are The New Safety Protocols For Reopening The Schools Set By The Government

The Ministry of Education has published guidelines on health and safety protocols for the reopening of basic education institutions.

The guidelines spell out measures all basic educational institutions should put in place before they are allowed to reopen schools.

The regulations demand that all basic educational institutions be involved in ensuring learning continues for all Kenyans despite the interruptions occasioned by the COVID-19 pandemic.

According to a statement from the Ministry of Health, all educational institutions should have adequate toilets which are properly maintained to prevent spread of diseases.

Dormitories and halls of residence shall be adapted to ensure there is no congestion and maintain a distance of at least one meter between beds from either side and where possible, boarding will be optional.

Institution activities, playing, teaching/training and learning will take place outside the classrooms halls.

Where learners or trainees will be in class, institution management will create physical distance between learners and place working tables at least one meter apart from one another, and one meter apart from all doors to avoid any physical contact or air contamination.

Institutional food handlers and cleaners will be required to have personal protective
equipment that including gloves, apron and facemasks, to promote basic health and hygiene.

Co-curricular activities

In terms of co-curricular activities fields, shall be appropriately marked to ensure learners  play different games that avoid touching or holding.

There shall be no swimming activities in all educational institutions until the COVID-19 risk is at lowest level as shall be guided by the Ministry of Health the statement read.

There shall be no gymnastics at all institutions level for the time being until advised by MoH.

Where learners will be engaged in games within the institutions compound,
teachers should ensure that the learners/trainees;
a) Always keep a distance of at least 1 meter between themselves as they play,
b) Wash hands thoroughly well with running water before and after games,
c) Clean thoroughly all sports equipment and sanitize them,
d) Always wear a mask every time they are playing outside with others,
e) Avoid touching eyes, face, nose, ears and mouth using hands,
f) Are guided to cough or sneeze into their elbows,
g) Don’t hug or ‘high five’ during games,
h) Don’t share food or water bottlers in the field,
i) Don’t play if feeling sick,
j) Eat and drink healthy.

The government closed all learning institutions from 15th March 2020 to curb the spread of the virus.

The pandemic has disrupted learning for over 18 million learners and trainees in Kenya posing a threat to the attainment of Sustainable Development Goal No.4 on access to quality, equitable and inclusive education and training.

To address the COVID-19 pandemic, the Ministry of Education developed a COVID -19 response and recovery plan whose aim is to guide on modalities of provision of accessible quality, equitable and inclusive education and training to all Kenyans during and after the pandemic.