By Zeddy Sambu

A school for only teen mothers and their babies is set to open in January in the country.

A first in Kenya, the specialised education needs center located in Central’s Nyeri County will cater for victims of sexual abuse and gender-based violence which have been on the rise during Covid-19 which has been defined by washing of hands, wearing face masks and social distancing.

SEXUAL ABUSE AND DEFILEMENT

Upon confirmation of the first Coronavirus positive cases in the country last March, the Government outlined various measures aimed at containing the spread of the disease, including social protection and a stimulus package, there have been increasing cases of sexual abuses and even defilement, due to heightened sexual activities during lockdowns and the extended nationwide curfew.

Amidst an expected baby boom, Non-Governmental Organizations (NGO) have stepped up support for women and girls in the region.

E-LEARNING ROLLOUT

While other’ learners are set to resume on January 4 after schools were shut down on March 15^th, roll out of e-learning programmes to the more than 15 million learners has faced challenges of an assured system for their close supervision and the requisite infrastructure.

With candidates yet to adequately covered the syllabus and prepare for national examinations, policy makers have unveiled a roadmap towards reopening of educational institutions.

Today in the reality of the global COVID-19 pandemic, with official safety measures including learning to be conducted under tents to ensure social distancing as learning resumes, various institutions have devised other learning delivery innovations towards ‘anytime/ anywhere’ mode of learning.

In an effort to expand these delivery options, partnerships in the technology and corporate world to issue laptop computer to students under a financing scheme have emerged.

The onus is on policy makers in the education sector to support these efforts particularly through guaranteed policy making away from the recent turbulence witnessed in recent years.