Okiya Omtatah speaks on rumours about blocking school reopening

By , K24 Digital
On Wed, 7 Oct, 2020 12:59 | < 1 min read
Activist Omtatah files a petition challenging the legality of Finance Act
Activist Okiya Omtatah. PHOTO/File

Activist Okiya Omtatah has dismissed as fake news rumours circulating online that he has gone to court to challenge the reopening of schools for Grade 4, Class 8 and Form Four.

Yesterday, many parents grew concerned after fake news started spreading on social media platforms that the renowned activist had gone to court to block learners from resuming face-to-face learning.

Speaking to a news editor on Wednesday, the activist said "treat that as fake news."

Following President Uhuru Kenyatta's cautious approach to reopening schools, primary school pupils and Form Four candidates will the first to troop back to class on Monday, October 12.

The decision was announced on Tuesday by Education Cabinet Secretary George Magoha who is eager to get all learners back in class by the end of the year.

Learners have been out of school for seven months since the closure imposed in March to stem the spread of coronavirus in the country.

Education CS, Prof. Magoha, said the revised 2020 school calendar will see the second term for Grade 4, Class Eight and Form Four run for 11 weeks, ending on December 23.

There will be a one week holiday for learners from December 24 with school resuming on January 4, 2021, for another term up to March 19.

Prof Magoha said that national examinations will be sat in March for primary and secondary school candidates.

The Kenya Certificate of Primary Education examination will be sat from March 22 to March 24 while the Form Four tests will be taken from March 25 to April 16.

It also emerged that Grade 3, Class 7 and Form Three learners may resume school on October 18, a decision likely to be informed by the unfolding coronavirus situation.