Why teacher training colleges are likely to reopen in September

As the country awaits President Uhuru Kenyatta’s decision today on whether the government will relax or tighten the Covid-19 containment measures, teacher training colleges (TTCs) stand a better chance of reopening in September as uncertainty surrounds the fate of primary and secondary schools.

Education Cabinet Secretary George Magoha on Sunday said that TTCs are better placed to reopen and observe social and physical distancing because only one cohort is currently enrolled as opposed to the usual two. The colleges did not admit new students last year in anticipation of a shift from P1 certificate to diploma training.

“I will advise the President to take the risk of considering allowing you to open on the first (of September). You have fewer students and larger capacity so you can achieve social distancing,” Prof Magoha said when he held a consultative meeting with 85 college principals from across the country at the Kenya School of Government in Embu on Sunday.

INSPECT COLLEGES

He said that he would randomly inspect a few public and private colleges to confirm their adherence to the Ministry of Health guidelines, including running water at hand washing points, automatic sanitiser dispensers, thermo guns and spacious learning areas.

The CS said that all the tutors at TTCs must be tested two weeks before the colleges are opened. This, he said, should be done in collaboration with hospitals near to the colleges. The CS said staff who handle food must also be tested fortnightly but was, however, non-commital over the testing of the students.

Prof Magoha said even though colleges are not included in the government plan to provide facemasks to learners, everybody will be expected to wear them at all times. He also ruled out government funding to bail out private colleges which have borne the brunt of the Covid-19 pandemic as they failed to admit students in May due to the closure.

Last month, President Kenyatta said the government would consider reopening learning institutions in September, but a rise in the confirmed Covid-19 cases in the last three weeks has cast doubts on the plans. Prof Magoha has in the past been categorical that schools will not be opened when the infection rate is on the ascendancy.

ADDITIONAL CLASSROOMS

The prolonged closure has negative social effects on students with some reports showing that thousands of teenage learners have become pregnant or been married since March 15. Others have also been involved in alcohol and substance abuse and in some extreme cases, students have been arrested for being involved in perverse sexual behaviour.

The fate of Kenya Certificate of Primary Education and Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education candidates also hangs in the balance if the schools do not reopen in September.

It is expected that if learning resumes, the examinations will be administered in March and April next year. The government allocated the education sector Sh7.4 billion in the Economic Stimulus Programme to mitigate the effects of Covid-19. The money will be used to fund infrastructure and improve human resource while at the same time supporting local artisans and businesses.

Out of this, Sh2.1 billion will fund the construction of additional classrooms in secondary schools which have borne the burden of congestion resulting from the 100 per cent transition policy by the government. The money may, however, hit the schools accounts late if they are to reopen in September.

With only two months to go, the Teachers Service Commission has also not announced any plans to recruit the additional tutors that are required to lessen the burden on the current staff.