The National Planning Authority (NPA) has warned that close to 4,000 private schools and higher institutions of learning risk a permanent closure as the dire consequencies of the COVID-19 pandemic set down on them.
According to Mr. Rogers Matte, the Manager Macro-Economic Planning at the Authority, the closure of schools as part of the COVID-19 preventive measures lead to the loss of educational opportunities as well as the education economy.
“Due to the loss of revenue arising from the COVID-19 containment measures, it is anticipated that without significant support, about 3,507 private primary schools both urban and rural could close permanently.” Mr Matte said.
He broke down the estimate, saying that at the secondary school level, a total of 834 (472 urban and 360 rural) poor private schools are likely to close due to financial distress.
The Authority adds that the situation is more serious for higher education as 80 percent of private universities have already communicated financial distress to their staff. Consequently, some 1,131 full-time staff in private universities are likely to lose their jobs.
Up to 15 million learners are currently stuck at home as a result of the closure. Matte says the future of students is at stake given that the lockdown has coincided with the planting season.
He says about 24 percent of the learners particularly from rural areas are in gardens providing labour without time to study. He was appearing before the National Economy Committee of parliament to present the Authority’s views on the impact of the coronavirus on the economy.
