Majority of Kenyans are opposed to the proposed reopening of schools in September. This is according to a recent study by research and consulting firm Infotrak.
According to the study, 70% of Kenyans opposed the idea. 41% of people feared the increase in coronavirus infections if schools were to be reopened.
They are scared students will be infected with coronavirus due to lack of social distancing or through not following guidelines.
The study was conducted in May with 12, 000 respondents in 24 counties countrywide.
“Many are afraid that children will be exposed and cases will spike while 15% out-rightly wondered and questioned how schools will ensure social distancing,” said Walter Nyabundi, a Research Executive at Infotrak through a virtual press conference.
These observations come as the government through the Ministry of Education and Health work on measures for the potential reopening of schools on September 1st.
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This is after President Uhuru Kenyatta instructed the Ministry of Education to announce a revised school calendar in mid-August.
Meanwhile, 59% of Kenyans support the reopening of places of worship.
However, the support to reopen the places of worship is considered higher in urban settings at 65% in comparison to rural areas whose backing seats at a lower 57%.
On Friday Interior cabinet secretary Fred Matiangi along with health cabinet secretary Mutahi Kagwe jointly appointed an inter-religious counsel chaired by catholic arch-bishop Antony Muheria to develop reopening protocols.
READ ALSO: 100 Kenyans have so far died from coronavirus
On June 13, Kenya recorded 152 new coronavirus cases, bringing the total number of coronavirus cases to 3, 457. 57 people recovered, bringing the number of recoveries to 1, 221.
However, 4 patients succumbed to the disease, bringing the total number of deaths to 100 people. Out of the new cases, Nairobi had the highest number of new cases at 70.
