- Face-to-face lectures will be limited to a specific number of students;
- As a result a lecturer may have to repeat a lesson a number of times to accommodate all students.
Image: COURTESY
The University of Nairobi plans a phased reopening in November in preparation for full opening in January.
But campus life as they knew it will not be the same for the institution's 84,000 students and 6,000 staff spread across its 35 campuses.
For example, face-to-face lectures will be limited to a specific number of students and as a result a lecturer may have to repeat a lesson a number of times to accommodate all students.
A report prepared by an ad hoc team appointed by the vice chancellor outlines a number of recommendations to help stem the spread of Covid-19 on campus.
The report is titled ‘Recommendations on Covid-19 Prevention on Scheduling Return of Students to Campus’. It was developed by the UoN School of Mathematics and the Institute of Infectious and Tropical Diseases using data from the government.
The report was presented to the Senate last Thursday.
“Based on the modelling provided, the University of Nairobi recommends a return to campus in mid-November. This would ensure that we are on the safe side of the curve when the number of cases is expected to be declining,” it reads.
“The selection of this date is based on an assumption that the government will not relax measures taken so far...or any changes in directives do not significantly change contacts between people and the epidemic growth.
“...the opening in November 2020 will take a phased approach to allow us to carefully assess our staff and student safety as we move to reopen fully in January 2021.”
The report recommends that all final-year students in laboratory and clinical-based disciplines return early to allow them to complete their studies.
Final-year groups deemed to have received effective and adequate online learning will continue into examination and graduation.
The other students will return in phases.
...the opening in November 2020 will take a phased approach to allow us to carefully assess our staff and student safety as we move to reopen fully in January 2021.Report
Should an infection be reported in a particular cluster/venue, the report recommends, that place will be closed, and tracking and isolation carried out.
The venue/cluster include lecture theatres, halls of residence, student transportation and places of worship, among others.
The whole campus will be closed if a number of clusters report positive cases.
“A cluster in more than one campus or involving students who traverse different campuses in their day-to-day learning activities will lead to the closure of the whole university,” states the report.
Age and existing morbidities will also be taken into account. “The high-risk include age 60 and the presence of co-morbidities. They will work from home but if they must come to the campuses wear N95,” the report says.
UoN will expand the triage space at the main University Health Service point and other nationwide campuses.
Student sick bays will be expanded and temporary ones created in 35 campuses as well as the creation of isolation and quarantine centres.
All halls and clusters will be reorganised and fumigated.
The management will equip the University Dental Hospital to enhance its teaching capacity and provide Personal Protective Equipment.
It plans to obtain necessary licences and logistics for Covid-19 testing within the UoN teaching and service laboratories
All students and staff must wear surgical face masks while frontline workers will wear N95 face masks
The university will engage Kenyatta National Hospital for support in the care of suspected or confirmed Covid-19 patients.
It will enhance mentorship, support and counselling services throughout the campuses and colleges.
Automatic sanitiser dispensers and handwashing equipment with reliable water flow and soap will be placed at entry points to buildings, public places and areas with high traffic.
“Face-to-face lectures will be provided only to the number of students permitted by the guidelines. The number will be worked out and guidelines provided,” the report states.
"If necessary, the same lecture may have to be repeated for what number of times necessary to accommodate all the students."
All exams will be done online to avoid physical contact, while transport within campus will be minimised.
The university will involve the government to help students safely travel from their locations to campus.
Edited by Josephine M. Mayuya