KNUT Rules Out School Calendar Review Amid Nationwide Student Unrest

The Kenya National Union of Teachers (KNUT) has firmly opposed growing calls to alter the second-term school calendar despite a recent surge in student unrest that has affected dozens of secondary schools across the country.

Speaking on Sunday, June 7, after attending a church service at Nyakach Girls’ National School in Kisumu County, KNUT Deputy Secretary-General Hesbon Otieno maintained that the current academic calendar should proceed as planned and warned against any attempts to disrupt it.

Otieno argued that revising the school calendar would have significant financial implications and could derail efforts by the education sector to maintain stability and recover from previous disruptions that affected learning schedules in recent years.

According to the KNUT official, maintaining the existing calendar is crucial to ensuring that students complete the academic year within the planned timelines.

He noted that frequent adjustments to school schedules not only increase operational costs but also create uncertainty for learners, teachers, parents, and education administrators.

“The school calendar must proceed and continue uninterrupted so that we can complete the academic programme by the end of the year. It is very expensive to disrupt the calendars,” Otieno stated.

He emphasized that the education sector has worked hard to stabilize learning programmes and return schools to a predictable schedule. As such, he said, any attempts to alter the calendar at this stage could negatively affect curriculum coverage and examination preparations.

Otieno’s remarks come at a time when lawmakers, education stakeholders, parents, and school administrators have been urging the Ministry of Education to reconsider the structure of the second term following a wave of unrest that has swept through secondary schools nationwide.

Over the past several weeks, numerous schools have reported cases of student strikes, destruction of property, dormitory fires, and confrontations between learners and school administrations. The incidents have raised concerns about student welfare and the overall learning environment in schools.

Many education stakeholders argue that the second term is excessively long and places considerable academic and psychological pressure on students.

They believe the demanding nature of the term may be contributing to the growing cases of indiscipline and unrest being witnessed in learning institutions.

As a result, several proposals have been put forward to ease the pressure on learners. Among the suggestions is the restructuring of the second-term calendar into shorter learning periods, accompanied by additional breaks that would allow students time to rest, recharge, and address mental wellness concerns.

Some leaders have also proposed introducing an extra mid-term break to help learners cope with the rigorous academic schedule. Supporters of the proposal argue that reducing fatigue among students could improve discipline, academic performance, and overall well-being.

However, KNUT has dismissed these recommendations, insisting that changing the school calendar is not the solution to the challenges currently facing schools.

Instead, the teachers’ union has called for enhanced discipline, better communication, and constructive engagement between students and school management.

Otieno attributed the ongoing unrest largely to a breakdown in discipline and dialogue within schools. He urged students to use established channels to air their concerns rather than resorting to violence, destruction of property, or disruptions to learning.

“Students, we are calling upon you to conduct yourselves in the manner expected of learners. If you have issues that need to be addressed, you have student leaders whom you elected to represent you. Use those structures to engage in dialogue with the school leadership instead of destroying property,” he said.

The KNUT official further appealed to school administrations to strengthen communication with learners and ensure that student concerns are addressed promptly through peaceful and structured engagement.

The union’s position aligns closely with that of the Ministry of Education. Basic Education Principal Secretary Julius Bitok has also ruled out changes to the school calendar despite the growing calls for reforms.

Bitok recently encouraged teachers and school administrators to engage students more actively and involve them in discussions on issues affecting their welfare.

He suggested that schools could consider adjusting internal programmes, including examination schedules, where necessary to address student concerns.

The Principal Secretary specifically urged teachers to hold consultations with learners regarding matters such as examination dates and academic schedules, noting that some of these issues have been cited as sources of tension in schools.

While proposing greater flexibility in handling school-based assessments, Bitok maintained that there would be no changes to the national academic calendar. He also dismissed suggestions that students be sent home early for an extended half-term break.

The debate over the school calendar comes against the backdrop of a worrying rise in unrest across learning institutions. As of Monday, June 8, more than 50 schools had reportedly been affected by student disturbances, forcing some institutions to suspend learning temporarily.

Reports indicate that some students have set dormitories ablaze, vandalized school property, attacked teachers, or threatened to stage strikes. The incidents have resulted in significant losses and raised concerns among parents, education officials, and security agencies.

Education stakeholders continue to search for lasting solutions to the crisis, with discussions focusing on student welfare, discipline, mental health, academic pressure, and communication between learners and school administrators.

Despite the growing concerns, KNUT remains adamant that preserving the integrity of the current academic calendar is essential for ensuring continuity in learning and enabling students to complete the school year as scheduled.

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