Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta on Saturday ordered the resumption of learning of all levels to resume on Jan. 4 next year.

Kenyatta who addressed the nation in Nairobi during celebrations marking Kenya's 57th Independence Day directed relevant ministries to ensure that all children head back to school next month to ensure compliance with the directive and guarantee that no child will be left behind.

"In that regard, and in line with the policy of the government on universal and compulsory basic education for all children of up to 18 years, all parents and guardians are required to facilitate their children to resume learning in January 2021," he said.

The country's basic and tertiary institutions of learning closed in mid-March after the first COVID-19 positive case was reported in the country, though partial reopening resumed in early October.

So far, grade four pupils as well as primary and high school finalists have resumed physical learning amid reports of some infections among students and tutors.

Kenyatta said the Ministries of Education and Health had developed specific protocols and guidelines to facilitate the reopening of all learning institutions.