MoE approves gradual return of school games

The Ministry of Education has finally allowed the resumption of sporting activities in primary and secondary schools after several failed restart attempts since the co-curricular activities were halted in 2020.

In a letter to all education directors dated June 22, the ministry however approved athletics discipline only due to the short academic calendar, also capping the participants to 20 in each gender.

The inter-school athletics championships will be used to fine-tune junior athletes who will compete in the World Under-20 Athletics Championships national trials set for next month at Kasarani.

“The MoE in consultation with key stakeholders has decided that co-curricular activities resume gradually. However, due to the short academic calendar. It has been resolved that in term one 2022, the primary and secondary schools compete in athletics at all levels, to prepare the qualifying athletes to participate in World Under-20 trials,” said Andrew Rukaria, who is the Director of Administration in the state Department of Early Learning and Basic Education.

All the levels up to regionals should be held before June 30th to pave the way for nationals to be held from July 3-7 at Kigari Teachers Training College in Embu County.

The ministry also said: “the championships should incorporate a medical officer from the Ministry of Health, to advice on safety and health standards.”

Primary and secondary school games have been hit hardest by the pandemic as they have not resumed since March 2020, despite the government through the State Departments of Sports and Health having given the resumption green light several times.