While other candidates across the country
rejoice about the reopening of schools after staying home for six months
following the Covid-19 pandemic, things are not the same for Regina Nakutaka, a
form four student at St. Columbans Kitale. She is not aware whether to rejoice
or be sad after Education Cabinet Secretary Prof George Magoha announced that
candidate classes to be reopened on Monday 12 October.
“I’m happy that after quite a long
time and break we are again going back to classes. This is good news and was
hoping I will be back to class too. Sadly it cannot be the same,” Nakutaka
regrets.
The candidate, who is expecting to deliver
a child mid this month, is among the many affected by early or teenage pregnancies
as reported during the coronavirus pandemic in the country.
With candidates expected to report back on
monday, many parents with expectant girls are at a dilemma of whether their
daughters will be allowed back to class or after delivery. This is not only
their worry but also their performance in the examinations scheduled next year
March.
“Many principals in the country are
very reluctant to accept girls who are pregnant and locking her out of class
will definitely have an impact on her results. She might not be able to attend
the rest of the classes. Its either she repeats the class,” said the
mother.
Grade four, class 8 and form four students are
expected in class on Monday while the rest await the reopening dates to be
communicated.
However, according to CS Magoha, social
distancing will be a challenge to achieve but it should not be used as a
setback to keep children at home.
He has constantly urged parents to learn
how to live with the virus because it’s not clear when the society will be free
of the virus.
Earlier information from the ministry on
school reopening was a temporary relief for Nakutaka, who would have at least
few months to breastfeed till January 2021, but the stance on abrupt reopening
on Monday has left her to wonder in thoughts.