Over 100 private schools risk closure due to COVID-19

The Kenya Private Schools Association says at least 126 private schools across the country face imminent closure due to the economic effects of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Speaking to KBC on phone Tuesday, the association’s CEO Peter Ndoro said about 43,000 learners in the affected private schools may not be able to resume learning in their respective schools next year if urgent intervention measures are not undertaken.

Ndoro said that the number is expected to rise as more investors in the sector can no longer keep up with harsh economic times after schools were closed due to COVID-19.

Ndoro noted that the association was engaging the government, treasury, and the national assembly to consider extending a stimulus programme to the private schools to cushion them during this period.

On reports that some private schools were promising parents that their children would proceed to the next class in the new year because they are undertaking online learning, Ndoro said that the matter is subject to debate.

However, he said the association will go by the position of the education ministry on the matter.

He encouraged parents to continue paying for online classes as a way of supporting schools during this time.