Confusion Over Half-Term Dates Amid Planned Protests
On Monday, parents were uncertain about the half-term break dates, fearing that their children’s travel plans might be disrupted by the anti-Finance Bill 2024 protests planned for Tuesday.
Many learners in uniform were seen at various matatu termini in Nairobi, heading home earlier than expected. They mentioned that their break was brought forward to ensure they reached home safely before the protests. The protests are scheduled for Tuesday and Thursday this week.
The Ministry of Education had initially scheduled the half-term break from June 26 to 28, 2024. Some parents contacted the Nation’s news desk to confirm if the date had been altered.
Education cabinet secretary Ezekiel Machogu clarified on Monday that learners would take the break from Wednesday and return to school the following Monday, as previously planned. He emphasized that this was the official date and that school principals were already informed.
Teachers Updates understands that senior education officials met on Sunday to discuss the half-term issue. A source revealed that no formal communication was issued, but school administrations were given the discretion to decide the most suitable time to release learners.
It was agreed that no learners would be sent home on Tuesday to protect them from the demonstrations.
There were numerous messages circulating on social media suggesting that the dates had been revised. However, the authenticity of these messages could not be confirmed.
Concerns Over Student Safety
In response to the planned protests against the controversial Financial Bill, numerous schools across the country have opted to start their mid-term break earlier than scheduled. The protests, which coincide with the revised mid-term break, have raised fears that students could be caught up in the demonstrations or even influenced to join them.
The decision by some school heads to initiate an early break has led to disruptions in teaching and learning for the second time this year. Earlier, the April holiday was extended by two weeks due to heavy rains and floods that affected various parts of the country.
Initially set for June 20th to 23rd, the break was later rescheduled to June 26th to 28th as per a revised school calendar. Despite these changes, the Education Ministry has insisted that the official mid-term break dates remain unchanged, though some schools have deviated from this directive.
Parents from several schools informed The Standard that they received unexpected text messages on Sunday evening, notifying them of the impromptu decision to start the mid-term break.
One message stated that due to the ongoing events in the country, the half-term dates had been reviewed. It informed parents that the break would now run from Tuesday, June 25 to Sunday, June 30, 2024, with students expected to return on Monday, July 1, 2024.
Another message from a day school announced the cancellation of Tuesday classes due to the planned demonstration, deeming it unsafe for children to attend school that day.
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Silas Obuhatsa, chairman of the National Parents Association, had urged schools on Sunday to make necessary arrangements for students’ transport as they depart for the mid-term break.
Prior to the schools reopening, Dr. Kipsang stated that the second term of the school calendar would not be extended, following discussions between the Ministry of Education and school heads.
However, he did not entirely rule out the possibility of a term extension, indicating that the ministry would continuously monitor the learning progress. Dr. Kipsang expressed confidence that the lost time could be recovered.
Confusion Over Half-Term Dates Amid Planned Protests
