Education Ministry Confirms Mid-Term Break Despite Rising Student Unrest

The government has reaffirmed that the mid-term school break will commence on June 24 as previously scheduled, dismissing calls for an earlier closure of schools amid a recent surge in student unrest across several learning institutions in the country.

Basic Education Principal Secretary Julius Bitok announced on Monday, June 8, during an inspection visit to a school in Nairobi.

He emphasized that the Ministry of Education has no plans to alter the academic calendar despite concerns raised by parents, education stakeholders, and members of the public following a series of disturbances reported in schools nationwide.

According to Bitok, the government remains committed to ensuring continuity in learning and will not allow isolated cases of unrest to disrupt education for the vast majority of students who are attending classes normally.

“There are people who feel that there is a lot of pressure in schools and therefore the calendar should be adjusted. However, we want to make it clear that the school calendar remains unchanged, and we are not going to revise it,” Bitok stated.

He reiterated that the half-term break will proceed on June 24 as earlier communicated by the Ministry, stressing that changing the dates would amount to rewarding disruptive behavior exhibited by a small fraction of learners.

“Half-term will be on June 24 as earlier communicated. We are not changing the dates because of a few students who are trying to disrupt learning in our schools. The academic programme must continue as planned,” he added.

The PS’s remarks come against the backdrop of increasing appeals for an earlier break following a wave of student strikes that have affected learning in a number of schools over the past few weeks.

Concerns have been growing among parents and education stakeholders who believe that students are facing mounting pressure and would benefit from a temporary break from the school environment.

Despite the concerns, Bitok revealed that only a relatively small number of schools have been affected by the unrest. He disclosed that approximately 80 schools have been closed indefinitely following incidents of student strikes and disturbances.

While acknowledging the seriousness of the incidents, the Principal Secretary noted that the affected institutions account for less than one per cent of all schools in the country. Kenya currently has more than 9,500 learning institutions, meaning that the overwhelming majority continue to operate normally.

“Right now, we have about 80 schools that have gone on strike against 9,500 schools nationwide. This means that 99.2 per cent of learning is continuing uninterrupted. Because of the 0.8 per cent that has experienced challenges, we cannot interrupt the learning programme of the remaining 99.2 per cent,” Bitok explained.

To address the situation and prevent further disruptions, the Ministry of Education has intensified monitoring and inspection activities in schools across the country.

The government has deployed an additional 400 quality assurance and standards officers to conduct comprehensive assessments of learning institutions.

The officers are expected to evaluate compliance with safety regulations, identify emerging concerns, and recommend interventions aimed at promoting stability within schools. According to Bitok, all boarding schools are currently undergoing a 10-day nationwide inspection exercise that began on June 2.

The inspections are focused on assessing safety standards, student welfare, institutional management, and the overall learning environment. The ministry hopes that the exercise will help identify factors contributing to the recent unrest and provide lasting solutions.

Bitok further observed that some of the challenges currently being witnessed in schools are linked to broader social pressures affecting young people.

He noted that students today are increasingly exposed to societal issues and family-related challenges, which can influence their behaviour and emotional wellbeing while in school.

He emphasized the need for school administrators and teachers to adopt more inclusive approaches when dealing with students. In particular, he called for increased engagement between school management and learners through open dialogue and consultation.

The Principal Secretary encouraged schools to strengthen student leadership structures and create platforms where learners can express their concerns and participate in discussions on issues affecting them.

According to him, involving students in decision-making processes, especially on matters that directly affect their daily lives, can significantly reduce tensions and prevent conflicts from escalating.

“We must engage students through their leadership organisations and maintain open dialogue with them. It is important that they feel heard and understood. Through engagement and consultation, we can address concerns early and reduce tension within our schools,” Bitok said.

Education stakeholders have also been urged to work together in supporting learners, particularly during periods of heightened academic pressure.

The Ministry believes that collaboration among teachers, parents, school administrators, and students will play a critical role in maintaining discipline and ensuring a conducive learning environment.

Read Also: List Of Secondary Schools Shut Down As Student Unrest Sweeps Across Kenya