Two schools in Kenya have suspended learning, barely two weeks after the government kicked off phased reopening of learning institutions.
Star of the Sea High school and Tononoka High school have been forced to shut down after Covid-19 cases were reported.
At the Star of the Sea High School, four teachers tested positive for Covid-19.
At Tononoka High school, 11 teachers have contracted the virus.
The seven-month Covid-19 imposed closure of schools finally came to an end on Monday October 12 when a section of learners resumed classes.
The Ministry of Education announced a phased reopening of schools, starting with the Competence Based Curriculum (CBC) Grade 4, Class Eight and Form Four candidates.
Education Cabinet Secretary George Magoha said the revised 2020 school calendar will see the second term for Grade 4, Class Eight and Form Four run for 11 weeks from October 12 to December 23.
Learners will then break for a one-week holiday, from December 24 and resume on January 4, 2021, up to March 19.
Magoha announced that the Kenya Certificate of Primary Education (KCPE) examinations will start on March 22, 2021 and end on March 24, 2021, while KCSE exams will start on March 25, 2021 and end on April 16, 2021.
Upon reopening, he said that all schools will be required to strictly adhere to COVID-19 containment protocols and guidelines, among them mandatory use of face masks, monitoring of body temperature and observance of high levels of hygiene.
