School Games: Teachers Cautioned Against Unauthorized Involvement and Over-Age Learners

School Games: Teachers Cautioned Against Unauthorized Involvement and Over-Age Learners.

Games teachers have been cautioned against involving unauthorized individuals in ongoing school athletics. Both the Kenya Primary School Sports Association (KPSSA) and the Kenya Secondary School Sports Association (KSSSA) have outlined severe consequences for those who violate competition regulations.

The Teachers Service Commission (TSC) has also stressed the necessity of age-appropriate participation to maintain fairness.

To enforce compliance, KPSSA, KSSSA, and the Director of Criminal Investigations (DCI) are collaborating to ensure legal action is taken against offenders. Officials from TSC have stated that teachers found guilty of violations will receive interdiction letters and be barred from future participation in school sports activities.

Revised Age Limits and Eligibility Criteria

This year, the Ministry has introduced an age cap for student-athletes, unlike previous years when restrictions were lifted after an outcry from schools. The Ministry has now set clear age limits to ensure fair competition and safeguard younger students from potential injuries caused by competing with older counterparts.

Primary Schools: Only learners below 12 years are eligible to participate.
Junior Secondary: Students must be under 15 years of age.
Secondary Schools: Only students under 18 years can compete, with adults strictly prohibited.

Birth certificates are now mandatory to verify age, and failure to comply will result in disqualification.

Introduction of Kids Athletics and Event Schedule

This year, a new initiative called ‘Kids Athletics’ has been introduced for lower-level learners in Grades 1, 2, and 3. The athletics competitions for primary and junior school learners include various sprints, middle- and long-distance races, relays, jumps, and throws. Schools have completed inter-school and cluster-level competitions and are preparing for the zonals.

Athletics Events:

Sprints (Short Races):

100m
100m hurdles (girls)
110m hurdles (boys)
200m
400m
400m hurdles

Middle Distance Races:

800m
1500m
3000m

Long Distance Races:

5000m
5000m walk

Relays:

4 x 100m
4 x 400m
4 x 400m mixed

Jumps:

High Jump
Long Jump
Triple Jump
Pole Vault

Throws:

Javelin
Shot Put
Discus
Hammer

Participation Limits:

One participant per school for short races.
Two participants per school for middle distance and field events.
Three participants per school for long-distance races.

Documentation Requirements

To ensure proper identification and verification, the following documents are required for participation:

Birth certificate (mandatory for age verification).
Introduction letter from the school.
Photograph of the participant with the head of the institution.

School Games: Teachers Cautioned Against Unauthorized Involvement and Over-Age Learners

National Co-Curricular Activities Calendar

Secondary Schools Sports (6th – 14th April)

Events: Rugby 15s, Athletics, Basketball 5×5, Hockey, Handball, Cross Country, Swimming
Host Region: Eastern
Host County: Machakos
Key Dates:
- Clinic: 6th – 8th April
- Arrival: 7th April
- Action Days: 9th – 13th April
- Departure: 14th April

Primary Schools Sports (6th – 12th April)

Event: Athletics
Host Region: Central
Host County: Nyeri
Key Dates:
- Clinic: 6th – 7th April
- Arrival: 7th April
- Action Days: 9th – 11th April
- Departure: 12th April

Junior School Sports (6th – 12th April)

Events: Athletics, Cross-Country, Handball, Swimming
Host Region: Eastern
Host County: Machakos
Key Dates:
- Clinic: 6th – 7th April
- Arrival: 7th April
- Action Days: 9th – 11th April
- Departure: 12th April

National Drama and Film Festival (7th – 19th April)

Host Region: Eastern
Host County: Embu
Venue: Kangaru/Embu University
Key Dates:
- Reporting: 7th April
- Action Days: 8th – 16th April
- State Concert: 18th April
- Departure: 19th April

Science and Engineering Fair (6th – 12th April)

Host Region: Nairobi
Host County: Nairobi
Venue: Moi Girls High School
Key Dates:
- Arrival: 6th April
- Action Days: 11th April
- Departure: 12th April

National Co-Curricular Activities Calendar 2025

Secondary Schools Sports (5th – 13th April 2025)

Host Region: Coast
Host County: Mombasa
Key Dates:
- Clinic: 5th – 7th April
- Arrival: 6th April
- Action Days: 8th – 12th April
- Departure: 13th April

Primary Schools (5th – 12th April 2025)

Events: Athletics, Kids Athletics, Gymnastics, Cross-Country
Host Region: Coast
Host County: Mombasa
Key Dates:
- Clinic: 5th – 6th April
- Arrival: 6th April
- Action Days: 8th – 11th April
- Departure: 12th April

Junior Schools (5th – 12th April 2025)

Events: Athletics, Cross-Country, Basketball 5×5, Rugby 7s, Swimming
Host Region: Coast
Host County: Mombasa
Key Dates:
- Clinic: 5th – 6th April
- Arrival: 6th April
- Action Days: 8th – 11th April
- Departure: 12th April

National Drama and Film Festival (7th – 19th April 2025)

Host Region: Rift Valley
Host County: Nakuru
Venue: Afraha High School
Key Dates:
- Reporting: 7th April
- Action Days: 8th – 14th April
- Gala Concert: 15th – 16th April
- State Concert: 18th April
- Departure: 19th April

By enforcing these regulations, the Ministry aims to ensure a level playing field and uphold the integrity of school sports in Kenya.