Coronavirus Disease 2019 (Covid-19): Effects on Education with Special Emphasis on Basic Education System in Kenya

Abstract

The evolution of COVID 19 and its effects to education is highly uncertain, making it hard for policy makers to formulate appropriate policy response world over. This article attempts to discuss the effect of Covid-19 on basic education. It is a theoretical desk-top review of literature. In order to understand the effects, the origin, symptoms, spread and the measures taken to prevent Covid-19 have been introduced. The findings show the effects felt so far to include; closure of school, educational Inequalities due to the digital divide, high cost/lack of computer and internet to parents, anxiety and emotional distress, heightened cases of domestic violence, potential increase in school drops out, child marriage and teenage pregnancies, exposure of vulnerable children to sexual abusers and corona virus, inadequate food provision at home, gender based violence, effects to children with disabilities, economic effects and teachers and other staff salaries/ lay-offs. Positive effects of covid-19 have also been discussed. Suggestions on how schools can re-open include; putting in place the minimum WHO guidelines in all schools, stationing medical personnel in schools for routine monitoring and surveillance, classrooms to accommodate 20 students only, provision of flexible learning approaches for pregnant girls and young mothers, consideration teachers and workers above 55 years with the option to deliver instruction remotely and government to consider constructing Portable Modular Classrooms as they are the best option when schools need more space. This review is important to education theorists and practitioners, government and other stakeholders in the field of education.