Teacher training colleges that will not meet the minimum standards set by Ministry of Health on averting the spread of Covid-19 will not be allowed to reopen, Education Principal Secretary Dr Belio Kipsang has said.
Speaking at Narok Teachers Training College during an inspection tour of the college yesterday, Dr Kipsang said they will tour all colleges in the country to check their preparedness for reopening before advising the President on whether to reopen or not.
“We have a duty to protect the teacher trainees and that is why we are moving to every college to make assessment just to be sure that they meet the minimum standards set by the department of health,” said the PS.
Dr Kipsang took issue with the Narok Teachers’ Training college saying it is yet to meet the required regulations as the males hostel, dining hall and staffroom are yet to achieve the one and half meter distance required.
“There is so much to be done in this college and we urge them to do so in the month of August before the colleges are opened in September. We will tour this college again in the company of Education Cabinet Secretary (CS) Professor George Magoha to inspect if what we have recommended has been implemented,” reiterated Dr Kipsang.
He asked the county Covid-19 response committee to work closely with the college to support them on where need arises in order to reopen in September.
“Some of the minimal requirements are that every student should have recyclable face masks, the 1.5-meter social distance be maintained in all areas, have adequate water supply and a medical facility nearby,” the PS continued.
He further said all the non-teaching staff must be tested for Covid-19 before the schools are reopened adding that the kitchen staff will be tested after every two weeks as their department is more critical in spreading the virus.
“The students will be checked daily on their temperature and those that will show Covid-19 symptoms will be advised to visit the hospital immediately,” said the PS.
Dr Kipsang who was accompanied by Rift Valley Region Education Director John Oltua and Narok County Commissioner Samuel Kimiti however said some colleges like Kericho and Murang’a Teachers Training Colleges were set to reopen as they have met the laid standards.
Narok Teachers training college currently has 361 students and tens of non-teaching staff.
