The COVID-19 pandemic has affected educational systems
worldwide, leading to the near-total closure of schools, universities, and
colleges. Most governments decided to temporarily close educational
institutions in an attempt to reduce the spread of COVID-19.
On Friday, during the Coronavirus presidential address,
President Uhuru Kenyatta directed the suspension of all physically learning
across the country with only candidates proceeding with their national
examinations and proceeding of online classes.
This is the second time schools are being closed following
an increase in the number of positive cases, with the country experiencing a
third wave of the virus, the closure of the education sector has not been
warmly received after a long stay at home in 2020.
Wilson Sossion, Kenya National Union of Teachers (KNUT)
Secretary-General has addressed the issue of school reopening as earlier stated
in May.
Speaking during an interview with a local TV station, the
nominated MP said that the government should reconsider the prolonged closure
to avoid learner’s being vulnerable to negative social influences due to
idleness.
“We hope by May 9 all learners should be able to go
back to school. Imagine a situation of another prolonged stay, we will not
receive students but some form of other citizens and that by then all teachers
would have been vaccinated,” argued Sossion.
With various tertiary institutions already having issued
their memo for suspension of face-to-face learning, a majority expressed their
disappointment on the directive from the head of state.
“As the government of Kenya takes measures to contain
the deadly 3rd wave of Covid-19, I can’t help but sympathize with students in
our public universities. Just when will they complete their studies?” Said
Dr. Masibo Lumala a senior lecturer at Moi University.
With little effort incurred to invest in the ICTs in
universities, this makes it even harder for the continuation of learning. A
huge portion of learners cannot fully get in for daily online classes due to
disparities in the cost of data and inadequate supply of electricity in rural
areas and those from disadvantaged families.
“The government never took into account the need to
strengthen ICT in our universities in the face of the pandemic. So no online
teaching and learning are feasible in the future for thousands of
undergraduates and postgraduates in our universities. The consequences are that
until when we will be able to contain this virus and have face-to-face classes,
the students will not be able to complete their studies on time,” he
explained.
Consequently, with not only be a hiccup for students only,
but the job sector is also affected. While students are still at home. Many
companies depend on the input of attachees and interns who give a helping hand in
the attainment of service delivery and goal achievements. A clear indication of
a looming human resources shortage.
“The impact of this will not only affect them
individually but employees too. There will be a shortage of manpower in the
coming days, including lack of doctors and nurses in our hospitals.” Added
Dr. Masibo.
An additional academic year in 2020 has flipped the lives of
many students with others stuck in one year for nearly two years. A number
opting to quit school and further their personal lives.
“I was to complete my studies in December last year,
but everything was disrupted, I didn’t go for my attachment, just completed my
industrial attachment with Radio Safari on Friday; was to report for the final
year this coming April. I have to wait till an unknown date. This move is
hurting.” Said Ibrahim Mokoit an incoming fourth year at Maasai Mara
University.
” I have been in 2nd year since 2019 September. There
was a strike in 2019, we reported back in January last year to finish the first
semester, unfortunately, we couldn’t complete it after suspension of classes.
Just about to complete the second semester with exams scheduled 5th of April
classes suspended with the certainty of resuming not clear. This is
discouraging with a large percentage of completion in suspense.” Said
Farida Mulongo a 2nd-year student at Moi University Main campus.
Now fully involved in photography to earn a living and
keeping himself distracted from the pressure from society. It is not without
challenges, many social events have been canceled and very few. The majority of
the events were taken online.
” I now have to find something to be doing to avoid the
negative impact of the youths in the society. We all know an idle mind is the
workshop of the devil. It was all evident after the ‘long holiday’, I run my
photography line Mokoit Photography based in Kitale but mobile with where there
is an opportunity to work, ” said Ibrahim.
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