Schools Begin Early For Mid-Term Break Following Finance Bill Demos
Thousands of parents with children in boarding schools are grappling with the sudden need to raise bus fare for their children to return home for mid-term break.
Numerous schools nationwide have begun planning to release students for the break earlier than expected, often without prior communication to parents.
Many parents, already financially strained due to unpaid salaries, expressed their difficulties to Wananchi Reporting.
Ms. Maryanne Wangeci, whose daughter is in Form 2 at a boarding school near Nairobi, shared her experience.
On the afternoon of Saturday, June 23, she received a message from the school asking her to pick up her daughter on Monday, June 25.
Reasons for Early Release
The message, cited the recent unrest and maandamano (demonstrations) as the primary reason for the early release, initially intended for Wednesday, June 26.
“Dear parent/guardian. Due to the ongoing maandamano, you are advised to pick your child from school for mid-term break on Mon 24/6/24 from 10:00am instead of the earlier communicated date. She is expected to report back on Monday 1/7/24 by 1pm. Please make the necessary transport arrangements.”
Schools are reportedly taking precautionary measures to ensure the safety of students amid the heightened activities against the Finance Bill 2024, primarily involving young people in Kenya.
The potential impact on transport and movement has led to the early release of students.
Many parents, such as Veronica Mwende, expressed concern about the short notice. While acknowledging the need for precautionary measures, Mwende pointed out the difficulty for parents who now have to travel long distances to pick up their children.
Those who do not need to travel still have to secure bus fare for their children’s safe journey home.
The Ministry of Education had previously extended the academic calendar for the current year, specifically for the second and third terms, due to flooding.
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The second term, initially set to resume on April 29th, was postponed to May 13th following President William Ruto’s national address announcing the indefinite postponement of school reopenings due to the floods.
Now, with unrest currently witnessed in Nairobi and other parts of the country, parents with children in school are left in a difficult situation as schools across the country prepare to break for mid-term this week.
Schools Begin Early For Mid-Term Break Following Finance Bill Demos
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