Tag Archives: CS Magoha Speech

Breaking Education News

Schools’ reopening fate to be announced next week

Leave a comment

National Covid-19 Education Response Committee winded up the exercise of collecting views from Kenyans on Friday evening. The week long exercise saw the committee receive various proposals from about 3,000 individuals and groups on how learning institutions should be reopened.

The committee will be writing a report advising the cabinet secretary on how best to reopen basic education institutions, review and reorganize the academic calendar among other tasks.

Join our growing community on Facebook. Click the link below;
OFFICIAL EDUCATION & TSC NEWS CENTRE FACEBOOK PAGE

PROPOSALS SUBMITTED TO THE COMMITTEE BY VARIOUS STAKE HOLDERS

A section of stake holders have been irked by a proposal by secondary school teachers’ representatives to have part of the learners back to school next month. The groups including the Kenya National Union of Teachers (Knut), Universities Academic Staff Union (UASU) and Kenya Human  Rights Commission (KHRC) in a statement this past week said proposal by Kenya Union of Post Primary Education Teachers (Kuppet) to partially reopen schools in June was ‘ill advised’.

“It is insensitive, pre-emptive, foolhardy and extremely wrong for anybody outside the medical profession or without medical expertise to propose the rushed reopening of schools in the wake of coronavirus pandemic, especially at this period when the virus is on spiral, threatening survival of humanity,” the three institutions said.

“Preliminary results from a rapid response survey rolled out by the agencies indicate that the situation on the ground is different and might require more effective measures to be put in place before such an action of reopening is undertaken,” they added.

The three groups have been bitter over the move by Education Cabinet Secretary Prof. George Magoha to exclude them from the committee tasked with coming up with proposals on how to restart learning.

And in expression of their anger, the three groups (Knut, KHRC and Kuppet) did not make their proposals to the constituted committee was just ‘a mere rubberstamp considering the manner in which it was constituted’. They said caution should be taken and there should be no rushed reopening of learning institutions. The ‘rebel’ group says provision of personal protective equipment and enforcement of other containment such as hand washing, fumigation of institutions and mass testing must be mandatory before schools reopen.

“It is worth noting that countries like France, which have attempted to reopen schools witnessed a resurgence of the virus, further affecting many teachers and learners,” reads the statement.

Also read;

Primary school heads on their part want the school annual calendar revised and KCPE and KCSE exams postponed until learners are well prepared to sit the examinations.

“The National examinations should be rescheduled to later dates when candidates are adequately prepared,” reads a proposal by Kenya Primary Schools Heads association (Kepsha) presented to the national covid-19 education response committee.

Kepsha says schools should not be reopened until the pandemic curve is flattened; adding that the situation will be worse in most schools that are overcrowded and social distancing would just be a mirage.

“The covid-19 spread in the country is rising day by day. Therefore, no schools should open until the virus is fully eradicated or brought under country in the country. In Nairobi county for instance, children are congested in the classrooms with so many pupils ranging from about 70 to 110 children per classroom in most schools”. add the primary school heads via a memo signed by the national chairperson, Nicholas Gathemia.

Among other proposals, the heads say class sizes should be reduced to have between 25-30 learners in order to attain social distancing and that the government should attach healthcare personnel to cluster of schools for regular monitoring; this is if schools must be reopened soon.

The committee will now retreat to write their report which will be submitted to president Uhuru Kenyatta before being made public next week; end of May.

The country will be waiting with bated breadth ahead of release of the report.

SEE ALSO;
Breaking Education News

CS Magoha sends this stern message to parents

Leave a comment

Education Cabinet Secretary Prof George Magoha has implored parents and guardians to strengthen Parental Empowerment and Engagement with the children to encourage them in life.

Speaking at a handover ceremony of  NG-CDF infrastructure worth 28 million shillings to the Government at Kiuu River Secondary school , the CS noted that Parental empowerment was the most important portion of the Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC). It is one of the guiding principles of the Basic Education Curriculum Framework that cannot be ignored in the current education system.

He regretted that some parents and guardians could not assist their children with home work on the pretext that they did not go to school. “Even me my mother did not go to school but she was able to parent me properly while guiding me throughout my life so that I am who I am today” said the CS

“My mother cooked ugali as I watched and as she guided me, I was able to do exactly that which I can do to my family. Do you see how I look like? He posed to the amusement of the invited guests.

He advised the parents to create time for their children and share with them basic ideas which would assist them perfect their inborn talents.

Magoha lauded the role of ACK St. Peters church elders and the community and praised them for recognizing the need for a secondary school in the area given that the nearest one at that time in 2014 was five kilometers away which he said was a long distance for young children to walk.

Parents play a significant role in the overall development and growth of the family. The extended family and community in a traditional society play a crucial role in the education of children. Nonetheless, the condition has changed in contemporary society.

Most parents are less likely to be engaged in their children’s parenting and learning processes because of a variety of factors that the CS said should be addressed for the good of the child.

“I urge parents to be close to your children. Spend at least 30 minutes with your child, listen and advise them. Parents who are involved have a positive effect on the learner’s overall growth in moral and religious values, academic achievements, and appropriate career options” said Prof. Magoha.

See also; Admission requirements for Diploma in Primary and Childhood Development Teacher Education 2021; Programme of activities and reporting dates

He noted that when parents accepted to play their role effectively, they ended up developing a fruitful partnership to promote children’s learning. He also added that the teachers and parents should conceptualize CBC to local areas and with things and activities that can be found locally

He further highlighted that from the National Treasury’s Allocation to infrastructure, Kiambu county schools have been allocated 306,500,000 shillings between 2018/2019 and 2020/2021 FY. This is indeed a worthwhile and massive investment in the county’s schools that will help improve access and quality of education in this county.

“The Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC) is a legacy that H.E. Uhuru Kenyatta wants to leave behind. ”and major stakeholders should similarly embrace it for the sake of the children.

The Kenyan government has continued to invest heavily in education which is meticulously interlinked with the economy.

It is important that the leadership of this country recognize this integral position and are aligning the national and economic development with those of education so as to prepare the toddlers from an early age.

Also read; Knec examiners login portal 2021 (https://examinersapp.knec.ac.ke/)

Besides equipping Kenyan children with the competencies needed to excel in the 21st century. CBC will empower Kenyans to be better citizens, the Head of State said during the unveiling of a task force report dubbed ‘Enhancing Access, Relevance, and Quality for Effective Curriculum Reforms Implementation’ that was launched on 9th February 2021.

“The purpose of the new system of ‘Learning to Learn’ is to allow our children to explore, innovate and unshackle their minds from the old and rigid molds of learning. This way they will be able to exploit their imagination, creativity, solve problems, use critical thinking, apply digital literacy and feel a sense of civic duty as citizens,” the President noted.

Breaking Education News

CS Magoha Magoha’s latest news on schools’ reopening, KCSE and KCPE exams

Leave a comment

Education Cabinet Secretary Prof. George Magoha has issued a strong warning to parents and the public over discussions on school reopening and fees; saying the safety of learners is of paramount importance. The CS said schools will remain closed till June 4 and that the Government will review the situation before advising the public of the next step regarding the start of second term.

“The children should enjoy their holidays and the schools shall remain closed effective 4th of this month to 4th of next month (June, 2020),” he said.

But, the CS was quick to point out that they will not rush into reopening of the schools saying such a decision will involve a number of stake holders.

“So, if and when we are going to make the pronouncements to either shift the calendar or open schools, we shall wait for the appropriate time, which has not arrived. That opportunity will come as we together look at what government is doing” he explained.

National Examinations and the school calendar

On the 2020 KCSE and KCPE examinations, Prof. Magoha was categorical that the government has not decided to post-pone the tests yet.

“Even up to this point, the government has not decided to postpone the national examinations,” Magoha said.

Embakasi East MP, Babu Owino: “As the secretary general of kenya young parlimentarians, the cabinet secretary education Professor George Albert Magoha Omori must submit in my office those exam papers (KCPE and KCSE) in advance so that i can verify if they have tested what has not been taught.”
Read also;

He wondered why parents were haggling about school fees at a point when the Country is grappling with the covid-19 pandemic.

“It is also very disturbing to hear the parents and the public only discussing about school opening and haggling about fees. It is important to remember that this is a medical crisis, not an economic crisis. The economic aspect is on the side and we must control the medical crisis first,” a physically agitated Magoha said.

Magoha warned Kenyans to be wary of the corona virus saying it is too early to celebrate on the successes of keeping the virus at bay. The CS took an opportunity to school Kenyans hon how masks should be worn.

He further said that the government will treat every child as equal and that ‘every child will be given content that he (/she) did not have’. His pronunciation on schools’ reopening date has effectively put a stop to academies that have been issuing second term school fee notes to parents and guardians.

The CS was speaking during the daily briefing session by the government on the status of the covid-19 pandemic in the country.

FOR A COMPLETE GUIDE TO ALL SCHOOLS IN KENYA CLICK ON THE LINK BELOW;

Here are links to the most important news portals:

Breaking Education News

CS Magoha asked to release schools’ reopening plan and calendar

Leave a comment

President Uhuru Kenyatta has asked the ministry of education to come up with a revised school calendar. Speaking during this year’s Madaraka day celebrations on Monday, at State House in Nairobi, the president told the ministry to draft a schools’ reopening plan so that learning can resume.

“The Ministry of Education (is directed to) fast-track and finalize the ongoing consultations with the stakeholders that will provide an appropriate calendar for gradual resumption of education in the country.  The guidelines should also include protocols to be followed by all learning institutions to guarantee the safety of our children.” said the head of state.

Uhuru said he felt for parents and candidates as they were the most hit by the current paralysis in the education sector that has been brought about by the covid 19 pandemic.

“I appreciate the anxiety weighing heavy on the minds of parents and children – particularly those preparing for the national examinations.  I share the heavy hearts of all the faithful who can no longer congregate and share in worship of The Almighty.” he added.

The president’s directive comes at a time when the ministry of education is faced with a herculean task of safely reopening basic learning institutions that were closed in mid March when the first cases of covid 19 disease were reported in the country.

SEE ALSO;

The national covid 19 education response committee, that presented its report to Prof Magoha, among other recommendations want schools to be reopened in phases as from September this year. The committee also proposes that the KCSE and KCPE examinations be pushed to February, March next year so as to give the candidates enough time to prepare to sit the all important national tests.

Education CS George Magoha. He has insisted that reopening of basic learning institutions will solely depend on advise from the health ministry officials.

While receiving the report, last week, CS Magoha CS Magoha said that a child who is well and safe at home is better than one who attempted to do the exam and died. he advised Parents to be ready to stay with their children (at home) even longer. He added that reopening of learning institutions will be guided by health situation.

Some countries in other parts of the country have been forced to close down the schools after attempts to reopen them flopped. Last week, South Korea became the latest country to close hundreds of schools that had reopened days earlier after a spike in cases of the
novel coronavirus. Reports showed that 838 schools of the 20,902 in the East Asian region country that were supposed to reopen on Wednesday did not, including in Seoul, and hundreds closed on Thursday in Seoul, Bucheon and other cities.

Kenyans will be waiting to see the work plan and rescheduled school calendar that the ministry of education is set to release in coming few days. but, this latest directive from the president would see the ministry speed up the release of the reopening guidelines and calendar.

RELATED NEWS
Breaking Education News

Latest speech by CS Magoha- Education news today

Leave a comment

Education Cabinet Secretary Professor George Magoha has given new directives on the 2021 form one selection exercise, school calendar and placement of the 2020 KCSE candidates. In his latest speech, CS Magoha specifies the date when the 2021 form one selection exercise will be carried out.

Here is part of the speech from CS Magoha;

“Accelerated Basic Education Calendar

All our learners returned to school for the Third Term of the 2020 Calendar year on May 10, 2021. I wish to inform the country that all learners reported to their respective schools and have since settled down for the accelerated academic calendar.

I therefore ask all stakeholders to provide adequate support to our children to enable them to go through the strict academic timelines that we have set aimed at restoring normal programmes by the end of next year.

I take this opportunity in a very special way to celebrate teachers and the parents who have maintained their support in ensuring that the students have access to what they need on a daily basis as they report back to school.

I appreciate teachers for their continued resilience and utmost dedication in ensuring that the curriculum is fully covered and that the school runs accordingly. I also commend the parents and guardians who make sure that our students have the basic needs and support from home despite the tough economic times everybody is currently facing as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Form One Selection Exercise Results

The Ministry is concluding a meticulous Form One selection exercise for the 2020 Kenya Certificate of Primary Education Examination results. I will be releasing the selection results on Tuesday, June 15, 2021.

I wish to stress that all the candidates who sat the examination will find places in secondary schools in the spirit of our 100 per cent transition policy.

As I urged parents and all other stakeholders, we must ensure utmost protectionto all the learners who sat the 2020 Kenya Certificate of Primary Education Examination as they are prepared to join Form One in July.

We must ensure we ward off all forms of child abuse that are common in some parts of the country, which could prevent the learners from joining Form One.

Revision of Degrees and College Choices for the 2020 KCSE Candidates 

I am pleased to note that KUCCPS is ready to proceed with university and college placement for the 2020 KCSE candidates. Accordingly, I wish to announce that the Revision of Choices for Placement to Degree, Diploma, Artisan and Craft Courses will commenced on May 24th, 2021.

Consequently,I have directed KUCCPSto open its system for the 2020 KCSE cohort to review and, if they so wish, make changes to the courses that they selected through their schools. Candidates who were not able to apply in school will use the opportunity to submit their choices.

All applicants will know the universities and colleges they have been selected to by the end of July 2021. This will enable our higher education institutions to admit the students in the new academic year beginning September 2021. The students and their parents will also have ample time to prepare adequately.

During the release of the 2020 KCSE examination results, I affirmed the Government’s commitment to provide an opportunity for every child to pursue a career of their choice.

I also assured all the candidates that a bright future awaited them; that no learner will be left behind.Our Technical and TVET institutions have vacancies for 331,045 new students, while our public and private universities have 160,160 spaces for government-sponsored students.

Therefore, I wish to reiterate that all the 143,140 candidates who scored a mean grade of C+ and above will be absorbed by our universities and TVET institutions by choice.

Further, the remaining 600,159 are eligible to apply for TVET programmes offered in our National Polytechnics and other Technical Training Institutions.

I wish to conclude this speech by saying that, all learners – including these young ones of Joseph Kangethe Primary School – must remember that: “The beautiful thing about education is that no one can take it away from you.”

Education is a long-term investment. The time, hard work one puts in, and the courage to overcome challenges and persevere the journey always pays off in the fullness of time.”

See also;

2021 Form One Selection Results through SMS

 How to download 2021 form one admission letters online.

Form one selection results and admission letters 2021 (Check admission results and letter)

How to receive 2021 Form One Selection Results via SMS Code 22263 (See selection criteria and how to download admission letters)

2021 Form One Selection Portal; Get selection results and download your admission letter

How to download Form one 2021 admission letters for National schools, Extra County Schools, County schools in kenya, Form one selection results

Popular in this category

form one intake 2021,
form one joining instruction 2021,
2021 form one placement,
form one admission 2021,
form 1 placement 2021 solomon islands,
secondary school selection 2021,
secondary school selection 2020,
form one reporting date 2021,