KNUT Rejects Calls to Review School Calendar Despite Wave of Student Unrest Across Kenya
The Kenya National Union of Teachers (KNUT) has firmly rejected growing calls to revise the second-term school calendar, insisting that learning must continue uninterrupted despite a surge in student unrest that has rocked 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 dismissed proposals seeking changes to the current academic schedule, arguing that altering the calendar would be costly and disruptive.
His remarks come at a time when concern is mounting over a series of student disturbances that have seen schools closed, property destroyed and learning interrupted in several parts of the country.
Otieno maintained that completing the academic calendar as planned remains the most practical option for the education sector.
“The school calendar must proceed and go on uninterrupted so that we can have the calendar completed at the end of the year. It is very expensive to disrupt the calendars,” he said.
The union official stressed that any changes at this stage would have far-reaching implications on learning programmes, national examinations and school operations.
“The school calendar needs to proceed as it is today to ensure that it is completed at the end of the year as projected,” he added.
His comments follow increasing pressure from lawmakers, education stakeholders and parents who have urged the Ministry of Education to reconsider the structure of the second term.
Critics argue that the term is excessively long and academically demanding, placing immense pressure on learners and contributing to the recent rise in school unrest.
Several proposals have been tabled, including breaking the term into shorter learning periods and introducing an additional mid-term break to give students adequate time to rest and recover.
Supporters of the proposals believe the changes would ease pressure on learners while improving their mental well-being and academic performance.
However, KNUT has dismissed such suggestions and instead called on students to embrace discipline and use established channels to address grievances.
According to Otieno, many of the disturbances stem from a breakdown in communication between students and school administrations.
“Students, we are calling you to style up and be the students you are supposed to be. If you have anything you want addressed, you have the student body you elected so that you can have dialogue with the leadership of the school,” he said.
He further condemned the destruction of school property, urging learners to seek peaceful solutions rather than resorting to violence and vandalism.
KNUT’s position mirrors that of the Ministry of Education, which has also ruled out changing the academic calendar despite the ongoing unrest.
Basic Education Principal Secretary Julius Bitok recently urged school administrators and teachers to engage students in dialogue and consider flexible arrangements on issues that may be causing tension, including examination schedules.
Bitok suggested that schools could review the timing of examinations where necessary to ease pressure on learners. However, he categorically ruled out an early half-term break or any changes to the national school calendar.
The debate comes as the education sector grapples with one of the most significant waves of student unrest in recent years.
As of Monday, June 8, more than 50 schools had reportedly been affected, with incidents ranging from dormitory fires and destruction of property to attacks on teachers and threats of further strikes.
The growing crisis has reignited a national conversation on student welfare, school management and the pressures facing learners in Kenya’s education system, even as authorities insist that the academic calendar will remain unchanged.
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