Mombasa county's Education department has said that schools are ready to reopen on October 4.
The Ministry of Education on Monday directed all teachers to report to work on September 28 for preparations for the reopening of schools.
Mombasa Education chief officer John Musavu said teachers are ready and that there is ongoing assessment in all schools to ensure they meet the Health ministry's Covid-19 measures.
“A group is doing rounds assessing the level of preparation in all schools using the documents provided by the Ministry of Health," Musavu said.
He said in the areas with no water, boreholes will be sunk.
The department, the officer said, has kept in touch with learners at all levels and that none has contracted the virus.
“We are working with the Health department to ensure all students and teachers undergo counselling when schools open,” Musavu said.
Students will use classes, dining halls and tents to ensure social distance, he said, adding that for schools without halls, learners will attend classes in shifts (7am to 1pm and 1pm to 5pm).
Education director Moses Makori said the county is ready to reopen schools but has high numbers of students.
“The main problem we have is space but we will cope by using open spaces,” Makori said.
Mombasa has few boarding schools, thus the issue of spacing in dormitories will not be a big challenge, he said.
However, Mwahima Secondary principal Christine Ndara said teachers need to report back much earlier to set records from where they left.
"Candidates should be given priority," Ndara said.
She said the government should give parents time to prepare students.
“As a parent, the information got us off-guard because getting school fees may be a challenge and we also need to prepare students who have to travel long distances."
Edited by R.Wamochie
