Ministry of Education to Extend School Academic Calendar
The government will extend the second term and third term due to the indefinite postponement of school reopening following the current floods, which have caused significant destruction and killed more than 200 people.
The Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education examination, which is slated to begin in November for Form Four candidates, will not be affected by the school calendar reform.
According to this year’s educational calendar, basic education institutions, including nursery, primary, and secondary schools, were scheduled to reopen on April 29 for the second term. Due to flooding, event was moved back until today, May 6.
However, during his national speech on Friday, President William Ruto stated that the reopening of all schools would be delayed indefinitely.
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The President did not comment on online learning, which was implemented by the previous administration during the Covid-19 outbreak, when schools were closed for more than seven months.
However, Ezekiel Machogu, the Education Cabinet Secretary, stated that online learning can continue.
The CS mentioned that the learning devices were limited and went on to reassure parents that everything was under control. He expressed confidence that Form Fours were studying at home and emphasized the importance of children continuing their studies at home.
According to this year’s academic calendar, the first term lasted 13 weeks, from January 8 to April 5. Students had a midterm break from February 29 to March 3, followed by a three-week vacation from April 6 to 28.
The second term, the longest of the three school periods, was scheduled to begin on April 29 and last 14 weeks until August 2. Students were scheduled to have a mid-term break from June 20 to June 23.
Students would also enjoy a three-week vacation from August 5 to August 25. This is the term that has suffered as a result of the present flooding situation, which has forced the state to postpone reopening until further notice.
The third and shortest term will begin on August 26 and run for nine weeks. It is scheduled to end on October 25.
National tests, such as the Kenya Primary School Education Assessment (KPSEA) and the Kenya Intermediate Level Education Assessment (KILEA), are set for October 28–31.
KPSEA is administered in Grade 6 before students advance to Junior Secondary School.
However, the findings are used to monitor candidates’ learning progress rather than to place them in JSS. Students were tested in four subjects: mathematics, English, integrated science, and Kiswahili.
The performance level is divided into four categories: exceeding expectation, matching expectation, approaching expectation, and below expectation.
Mr Machogu stated that the school calendar will be changed as a result of the lengthening of the April breaks caused by the flooding threat that wrecked school facilities.
Mr. Machogu explained that the KCSE exams would not be postponed, clarifying that no decision to that effect had been reached yet. He expressed hope that the rains would diminish within the month, indicating that once this occurred, schools would promptly reopen.
However, to make up for the time ‘lost’ during the floods, the CS said that his ministry will likewise extend the term.
“Such that when they were to close for three weeks in August, we will reduce the time and also part of it will be recovered in December,” the CS told the Nation in an interview.
However, following President Ruto’s declaration on Friday, the Machogu-led ministry urged school administrators to enable pupils to safely return home.
Mr. Machogu, in a circular addressed to all regional, county, and sub-county directors of education, stated that the directive is informed by the prevailing heavy rains and flooding affecting parts of the country. He instructed them to ensure the implementation of the foregoing directive in their areas of jurisdiction.
He also directed all school management boards to have meetings and submit reports to their respective county education boards on the status of their schools.
He stated that the reports should cover all pertinent issues, including any damage to school infrastructure resulting from the severe weather conditions, and should also specify the mitigation measures. He added that these reports must be submitted by May 8th.
The rains have had a terrible impact on schools, causing damage to infrastructure, submerging buildings and sanitation facilities, and destroying learning and teaching materials.
Some schools are currently accommodating persons who have been displaced by the flooding.
Mr Machogu stated that the reports are crucial for interacting with the National Government Constituency Development Fund to restore the destroyed infrastructure.
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He asked county school boards to hold urgent meetings to analyze the situation in their respective districts and submit detailed reports to the Cabinet Secretary by May 10.
He added that the Regional Directors of Education would continually offer updates on the status of learning institutions in their respective areas using the provided templates.
The CS directed all field education officers working in areas where schools are hosting displaced people to immediately coordinate with local National Government Administration Officers to find alternative housing for affected people so that the facilities can be used for normal learning activities.
Ministry of Education to Extend School Academic Calendar
