Advisory on Resumption of Academic Calendar: Reopening of Universities and Tertiary Institutions

Press Release

Pursuant to the Presidential Directive issued during the Twelfth (12th) Presidential Address to the Nation on the Coronavirus Pandemic which was delivered by His Excellency the President on Monday, 28th September, 2020, and following broad-based stakeholder consultations, the Ministry of Education notifies the public that the progressive re-opening of education institutions will commence with the re-opening of universities and tertiary institutions with effect from Monday, 5th October, 2020.

The specifics of the same are as follows:

1. The examination classes of Teachers Training Colleges (TTCs) and Technical and Vocational Education and Training (NET) institutions will report on Monday, 5th October, 2020;
2. The Boards of the TTCs and the TVETs will announce the resumption date for in-person learning for other classes, with priority being accorded to students undertaking practical courses;
3. Final Year Students in all Universities and their Constituent Colleges will report on Monday, 5th October, 2020; and
4. The respective University Councils and their Senates will announce the date for resumption of in-person learning for students in other academic classes, with priority being accorded to those undertaking science-based courses.

Safe resumption of in-person learning in all Universities and Tertiary Institutions requires utmost fidelity to the Ministry of Health’s COVID-19 protocols and guidelines. Guided by those protocols and guidelines, it is directed THAT:

1. All learning institutions will be required to mandatorily enforce strict adherence to the COVID-19 health and safety protocols, which include; monitoring of the body temperature for all learners and all other persons accessing the institutions, observance of high levels of hygiene, handwashing/use of sanitizers, and the adoption of innovative approaches to uphold the guidelines on physical and social distancing and the use of face masks/shields;
2. All Universities and tertiary institutions that had been designated as quarantine centres shall be fumigated under the supervision of the Ministry of Health prior to their re-opening;
3. All universities and tertiary institutions must be linked to a health facility prior to being re-opened;
4. All learning institutions shall provide psychosocial and spiritual support to learners and staff during the subsistence of the current pandemic;
5. Councils/Boards and Vice-Chancellors/Principals shall ensure full compliance with the guidelines and protocols issued by the Ministry of Health; failure to which their respective institutions will be closed for breaching those health protocols and guidelines; and
6. Education officials, in conjunction with Public Health Officials, will continuously monitor and review the levels of compliance with respect to the aforementioned measures.

GEORGE A.0 MAGOHA,
CBS CABINET SECRETARY FOR EDUCATION
Tuesday,29th September, 2020