International Schools in Kenya Suspend Second Phase Reopening as Covid-19 Cases Spike

International schools in Kenya have suspended the second phase of reopening following a spike in Covid-19 infections.

The Kenya Association of International Schools (KAIS) on Friday said the move affects learners who were scheduled to resume their studies on Monday.

Final year and key transitional years resumed learning earlier this month under strict Covid-19 guidelines provided by the Education Ministry.

“The earlier advice to recall our other year groups including our early years from October 26 is hereby vacated. In-person learning will continue only for final year and key transition years/grades,” KAIS noted.

KAIS indicated that the country’s Covid-19 positivity rate had increased to 14% from 5% since the reopening, hence the decision to suspend the resumption of in-person learning.

The association said learning for final year and transitional year students will continue, adding that a hybrid model involving face-to-face and virtual learning will be adopted to reduce the number of students in the schools at a time.

Learners who are not comfortable with in-person learning have been asked to continue taking online classes.

On Thursday, the country announced 1,068 new Covid-19 infections from a sample of 7,556 tests—the highest number of cases in a single day.