The nine-months break proceeding the coronavirus outbreak in
March has been a living hell for many children and parents who wished schools could
open sooner.
When the ministry of education announced that all schools to
open on January 4 2021, many wished time could fly to get back to classes,
saying that life at home was unbearable.
We visited some schools and had a chat with students who were
exited to be back in class.
Kelvin, a twelve-year-old says although they were able to do
practice at home, he prefers to be learning together with his schoolmates and
friends.
“I missed the playing and joking with my friends, I prayed
for school to reopen,” says the grade five pupil.
Ruth, a grade three pupil says the daily morning assembly
where all students gathered to sing and receive information is what she missed
most.
“I love singing and we often learned new songs at the
assembly,” she says.
When the coronavirus pandemic hit Africa as a continent, almost
572 million students across 30 countries were affected by the closure of school
As many children across the country become exited over
school reopening, what they have to keep in mind is that they can no longer hug
or huddle with schoolmates and friends like they did before the pandemic.
All schools have had to adopt guidelines and protocols set
by the ministries of health and education, a move that has changed lifelong
experience for Kelvin and Ruth, among other learners across the country.
“At least we are back in school and learning with friends,
even though we’ve been asked to maintain social distance, wear face masks and wash
our hands,” says Kelvin.
The government laid down protocols to be observed for safe
school re-opening, key being proper wearing of face masks, social distancing,
proper and frequent handwashing.
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