Re-opening schools: Give fair pricing on books, Raila asks publishers

 

ODM party leader Raila Odinga has  appealed to publishers and other stakeholders to ensure fair pricing of books to lessen the burden on parents as schools prepare for reopening.

"Books are important to nations and humanity as a whole. We educate through books and entertain while preserving our culture," he said.

Speaking during a virtual conference on Thursday, Raila said learning in schools stopped for a long period due to Covid-19.

"We face the challenge of sufficient books on each learner. The all sharing of book might be the thing of the past," he said.

Raila said all stakeholders in the value chain should take note of the difficulty that parents go through and give fair pricing.

Plans to reopen learning institutions are gaining momentum in the country, six months after the unprecedented novel coronavirus rocked the country.

The Teachers Service Commission on Monday indicated teachers are expected back in school by September 28, though Education CS George Magoha is yet to announce the exact date learners will return.

When the country confirmed the first case of the virus on March 13, many parents embraced the government's directive to shut schools for safety reasons.

All 47 counties in the country have reported cases of the virus with Nairobi leading.

Despite a seemingly flattening curve, parents have a myriad of concerns as they await Education CS George Magoha's final word on reopening dates.