Kenya

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Kenya: Our focus is not on reopening schools, says CS Magoha

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Africa/Kenya/31-05-2020/Author: Margaret Kalekye/Source: www.kbc.co.ke

The Ministry of Education has cautioned against the rush to reopen schools during this coronavirus pandemic.

Education Cabinet Secretary Friday hinted at pushing again the reopening of schools considering the rising number of coronavirus infections. Kenya has 1,618 cases, with 147 reported Thursday.

“You have seen the numbers this week and last week. Who would take their child to school? Let us agree that a child who is alive and well at home is better than a child who attempts an exam and dies there. If it means learners starting the year again so be it,” said the CS.

While speaking after receiving an interim report of the Covid-19 National Education Response Education committee, the CS maintained that the health and safety of learners and teachers remains a priority and not national exams.

Magoha says their primary focus is to come up with strong mitigation measures that will be required in schools once they reopen based on recommendations of the committee and health ministry.

Magoha will be tabling the proposals contained in the report before the national emergency response committee this weekend for further consultations.

” The Ministry recognises that the process of reopening schools will not be a switch-on-switch-off affair, but a rather carefully thought out and methodical process that must guarantee safety and health of all learners, teachers and staff”.

He said his office will be giving updates on the current situation regarding the education sector based on the advice of the Ministry of Health.

While citing the southern US which has reported an upsurge of cases after reopening the economy, Magoha said no number of deaths is comfortable and appealed for calm as the government monitors the situation.

The ministry had set June 4 as the tentative opening date, pending the advice of the committee and the Ministry of Health.

Magoha clarified that the goal of the nine-member committee set up last month to advise the government on the school calendar is the safety of learners.

“We have done various simulations. Let us remain sober and take into account the fact that there are places that have rushed to reopen and are dealing with an upsurge. Nobody knows what will happen tomorrow. This not a Kenyan problem. We have seen what is happening in the world to learn from. Which is the comfortable number of deaths and the answer is zero” he posed.

He added “The goal of this committee is not about closing or reopening schools the goal was to ensure the children are safe. Their sole determination will remain on what is happening here and the Ministry of health”

Magoha took a swipe at parents for treating children as a burden. He reminded parents of their shared responsibility with schools to ensure children continue to learn.

“It is should be clear for all and sundry. This disease is here to stay, but for now, all stakeholders must be prepared. The abrogation of responsibility by parents must be revised. There is a lot to learn in life apart from mathematics. It must start with the family. It’s an opportune time to strengthen parenting” he said.

He assured that the school calendar will apply to all learners equally regardless of their statuses.

“From Mukuru to Muthaiga learners will have the same facilities and the same rights. The issue of transition and mega issue of CBC must go hand in hand”.

On the stand-off between parents and private schools, the CS called for negotiations bearing in mind that the schools need money to run or they will be forced to shut which is unfair.

“Private schools employs over 160,000 teachers. To keep the schools alive, we must have a humane face. Let us be reasonable the staff must be paid. If they collapse it is the government that will deal with the burden because the children will come to public schools”.

Source and Image: https://www.kbc.co.ke/our-focus-is-not-on-reopening-of-schools-says-cs-magoha/

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Kenya: Magoha picks committee to advise on school reopening

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Africa/Kenya/17-05-2020/Author: Suleiman Yeri/Source: www.kbc.co.ke

Education Cabinet Secretary Prof. George Magoha has appointed a 10 member committee to explore the best possible strategies of restoring normalcy in the basic education sector.

The committee which starts its work immediately will be headed by Kenya Institute for Curriculum Development Chairperson Dr Sarah Ruto.

The members are Indimuli Kahi, Chair Kenya Secondary Schools Heads Association, Nicholas Gathemia, Chair Kenya Primary Schools Heads Association, Peter Ndoro, CEO Kenya Private Schools Association, Jane Mwangi of the Kenya Association for Independent International schools, Peter Sitienei, chair Kenya Special Schools Heads Association

The committee will also have six ex-official members which include Ruth Mugambi, Patrick Ochich, Gabriel Mathenge, Paul Kibet, Ann Gachoya and Dr Loice Ombajo.

The committee is mandated to advise the Cabinet Secretary on timing for the reopening of basic education institutions including boarding schools, review and reorganization of the school calendar.

Dr Ruto and her team will also advise on the health and safety measures to be put in place by all schools, in addition to identifying institutions adversely affected by the coronavirus pandemic and appropriate mitigation and recovery measures.

The government postponed the re-opening of schools for one month to give more time for the fight against the spread of the contagious disease.

Magoha last Thursday while appearing before the National Assembly Education and Research committee promised in two weeks to release possible scenarios in the school calendar in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic.

He said the safety of learners is a priority even it means pushing the national exams and re-opening of schools which remains a concern for many to next year.

“If children are going to stay at home for one year, so be it, because they are safe there. The exams can be done next year,” Magoha told the MPs.

The terms of reference of the COVID-19 Education Response Committee are to:

  • Advise the Cabinet Secretary on the reopening of Basic Education institutions (Pre-Primary. Primary, Secondary Schools, Teacher Training Colleges and Adult Education Institutions.)
  • Review and reorganise the school calendar as part of the COVID-19 post-recovery strategy.
  • Advise the Cabinet Secretary on ways of onboarding students/pupils when the schools re-open.
  • Document all COVID-19 related matters, lessons learnt and recommendations for future preparedness.
  • Advise the Cabinet Secretary on the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the demand for education by poor households and suggest mitigation measures.
  • Advise the Cabinet Secretary on the Health and Safety measures to be put in place for the pupils/students, teachers and entire school community.
  • Identify institutions that may have been adversely affected by COVID-19 and advise on mitigation and recovery measures.
  • Submit regular reports to the Cabinet Secretary on the implementation progress of COVID-19 related programmes.
  • Any other related duty that may be assigned by the Cabinet Secretary.

Fuente e Imagen: https://www.kbc.co.ke/schools-reopening-magoha-appoints-advisory-committee/

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Kenya: Over 100 vulnerable children are sexually abused annually

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Africa/Kenya/08-03-2020/Author: KNA/Source: www.kbc.co.ke

At least 150 children living with disability are sexually abused in Trans Nzoia County every year, according to research carried out by a local NGO, Human Inclusion International organization.

The report says children with mental impairment are worst affected.

Human Inclusion International project officer Janet Nyangweso sexual violence is three times more among vulnerable children.

She notes that Tuwan slums in Trans Nzoia West, Endebess sub-county and Trans Nzoia East sub-county lead in defilement cases.

Under the Ubuntu care programme the organization she says offers protection for vulnerable children but notes the challenge in apprehending and prosecution of offenders.

She called for cooperation between local administrators including chiefs, the police and the judiciary in delivering justice for the innocent children.

Source and Image: https://www.kbc.co.ke/100-vulnerable-children-sexually-abused/

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Kenya: NGAOs directed to ensure 100pc secondary school transition

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Africa/Kenya/02-02-2020/Author: Hunja Macharia/Source: www.kbc.co.ke

The Government will conduct a head count of last year’s KCPE candidates who have joined form 1 in line with the 100 percent transition policy.

Speaking in Vihiga County Interior CS Fred Matiangi warned that National Government Administrative officers will be held personally liable for the absence of these learners from school.

“Despite our progress in transitioning from primary to secondary school education we’re still holding out for 100% of last year’s KCPE candidates. Chiefs & Asst. Chiefs must comb through villages & account for these learners within their areas of jurisdiction.” Matiangi said.

The same was replicated in Kilifi County where Senior Ministry of Education and Teachers Service Commission officials embarked on an exercise to ensure the 100 percent transition to secondary school policy is complied with.

This follows revelations that the County had achieved a transition rate of 86 percent with the other students unaccounted for.

The senior officials led by Education Chief Administrative Secretary Mumina Bonaya together with administrative and security officers went on a house-to-house mop up exercise and forcefully took parents and their children who were still at home to nearby secondary schools where they supervised the admission of the children.

The team also included Deputy Director of Education Hassan Duale, Coast Regional Director of Education Hussein Osman, TSC Coast Regional Director Victoria Mvoka and Kilifi County Director of Education Eunice Khaemba among other government officers.

Ms Bonaya said less than 60,000 students were yet to join form one in the Country as efforts to attain 100 per cent transition reach top gear.

Kilifi and Tana River Counties are said to be the Counties with the highest number of students who are still at home with the CAS saying the Ministry remains committed to ensure full compliance with the policy.

“We are just following up to ensure that we do not leave anyone behind as it is now a government policy to ensure 100 percent transition from primary to secondary school,” she said.

Bonaya however acknowledged that some parents or guardians had failed to take the students to school due to financial constraints.

“Some of the children are total orphans while others were abandoned by their parents and are living with their elderly grandparents. Others are not aware that government secondary schools do not charge school fees, but we have advised them accordingly,” she said.

Source and Image: https://www.kbc.co.ke/ngaos-directed-to-ensure-100pc-secondary-school-transition/

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Kenya: 73 students taken to Bahati hospital following night fire

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Africa/Kenya/20-01-2020/Author: Christine Muchira/Source: www.kbc.co.ke

73 students were taken to Bahati Sub-County Hospital Saturday night following a fire incident at Bahati PCEA Girls School.

All have been discharged apart from three who were admitted while two were referred to Nakuru Provincial General Hospital.

The source of fire is unknown.

More to follow…..

Source and Image: https://www.kbc.co.ke/73-students-bahati-hospital-night-fire/

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Parents urged to install controls for sites accessed by children

Noticias

Africa/Kenya/01-12-2019/Author(a): Fiona Churu/Source: www.kbc.co.ke

The Communications Authority of Kenya is urging parents and guardians to be on the look-out on the content their children consumer online, especially during these long holidays.

Acting Director General Mercy Wanjau says the national cyber-security centre had observed a sharp increase in the number of cyber-threats and incidents in the country.

Kenya has been witnessing a sharp increase in cyber attacks which has prompted the Communications Authority of Kenya to advice parents and guardians to guide and install controls on sites their children can access content from.

This is in addition to a number of online and physical Children Online Protection materials that exist which could assist parents and guardians guarantee the safety of children online.

Embu residents have at least 88 percent coverage of 2G and 3G mobile connectivity, which officials say could be harnessed to boost food productivity.

Wambora urged CA to facilitate basic connectivity to underserved areas in Embu to ensure residents enjoy the transformative power of ICT.

Source and Image: https://www.kbc.co.ke/parents-content-children/

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Kenya: Quality education dependent on competence and motivation of teachers

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Africa/Kenya/01-12-2019/Author(a): Claire Wanja/Source: www.kbc.co.ke

Quality education outcomes depend on the competence and motivation of teachers, the Country Manager of Twaweza East Africa, Dr. Emmanuel Manyasa has said.

“I would rather have children under a tree with a competent and motivated teacher than in well-constructed classrooms without such a teacher,” Manyasa.

Manyasa was speaking on the sidelines of two day Conference on the place of evidence in reforming education Reforms for Sustainable National Transformation at a Machakos hotel yesterday. The event attracted education policymakers, policy practitioners, researchers, Development partners in the Education.

Manyasa said the teacher is the most important actor in curriculum management and delivery, noting that they should be retooled and motivated at all times.

He underscored the importance of rigorous and reliable evidence as a basis for decision making.

A senior lecturer at the University of Nairobi, School of Education, Dr Andrew Riechi similarly underscored the importance of well-educated and trained teacher in ensuring quality learning outcomes in schools.

The conference aimed to provide a platform for sharing of knowledge and policy-relevant findings of high-quality research from MOE and various practitioners, researchers and academics working in the education fieldin Kenya.

It was sought to initiate discussions to promote evidence-based solutions and adoption of practices that target transformative education in Kenya; and to provide input towards the creation of an ‘evidence gap map’ that would help shape the future research agenda in the education sector.

Source and Image: https://www.kbc.co.ke/quality-education-dependent-on-competence-and-motivation-of-teachers/

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