Case study on schools needed as learning resumes – Knut

The Kenya National Union of Teachers wants a case study on schools conducted even as schools reopen for Second Term.

Knut secretary general Colins Oyuu said schools are not the same as some are in worse and pathetic condition after being ravaged by floods.

"A case-to-case study of these schools must be put into consideration. Like here for example, the learners cannot come here to this school," he said at Nyamasao Primary School in Kisumu county.

While supporting the directive to reopen schools, Oyuu added that the Ministry of Education and by extension, the government should see to it that proper consideration is done on the case-to-case analysis of the schools.

He further noted that the government should draw funds from the Ministry of Education Infrastructure fund to rebuild the affected schools.

The SG noted that it's not only the National Government Constituency Development Funds (NG-CDF) that can come to the rescue of the particular schools.

"We must also get into the Ministry of Education Infrastructure Funding," he said.

"If we have donors to come in, then the government should open its arms very wide to allow proper assistance," he added.

Oyuu was in Nyando subcounty in Kisumu county to asses the situation of schools impacted by floods.

He noted that some of the schools acted as rescue camps hosting families affected by floods across the area and this was a matter that needed to be looked into critically.

"As we are here, the school next to this one is an IDP camp. What will happen to the community in that camp? Over 380 families are in the school compound where will they go?" Oyuu questioned and added that people's safety must also be looked into as they leave the schools in readiness for reopening for Second Term.

Oyuu also noted that matters of hygene are also a concern even as learners go back and must be looked at too.

He said latrines in most schools sank following heavy flooding.

"I have gone to four schools that the latrines have literally sank, the grounds are totally wet, what does that mean? Hygene is compromised so we have so many issues to look into but all in all, we support that learning must resume," he said.

The secretary general also disclosed that they did a crossection analysis across their 110 branches and found that 90 per cent of schools are in good shape for resumption of studies.

"We support opening of schools but with measures to be put in place properly to safeguard the health of the community living around and the learners and also to bring us back to resume syllabus coverage as required."

Oyuu took the opportunity to call for reconsideration of proper funding in good time as schools prepare to reopen on Monday.

He noted that as a union, they had raised issues on capitation to schools and this is when it should come in handy.

"Term Two is going to start, but do we have funding? I think the CS should get back to the drawing board and make sure that Treasury is pushed as required," he said.

"Already we have calamities, infrastructure, learning materials, this should be catered for," the union boss said.

Education CS Ezekiel Machogu announced that a section of schools in seven counties among them Tana River, Homa Bay and Kisumu may not reopen on Monday. 

He said the ministry will explore other learning options such as relocation of learners to safer centres.