School heads in Nyanza, Western put to task over failure by students to reports back

NAIROBI, Kenya, Oct 24- Where are the candidates?

It is a nagging question school heads in Nyanza and Western Kenya regions are asking, 2 weeks after the government announced a phased re-opening of schools.

This is after the country realized the World Health Organisation (WHO) recommended a 5 per cent infection rate of COVID-19.

In the two regions, the Education Ministry said a section of grade 4, class 8, and form 4 students had failed to report to their respective schools for various reasons.

“The covid-19 pandemic is here with us but our lives have to continue, I urge you to observe the required protocols such as social distancing, frequent handwashing, wearing of face masks to avoid getting infected because we in the Ministry expect all of you to pass your exams and proceed to either join form one or university,” Principal Secretary University Education and Research Amb. Simon Nabukwesi said.

He cited pregnancies as some of the reasons why some female students failed to turn up as they were nursing their babies whereas a few male students had engaged in business and absconded class.

The PS has asked school heads to liaise with their parents/guardians to ensure they return to school.