Schools to Break for Half-Term on June 24 Despite Unrest as PS Julius Bitok Rules Out Calendar Changes
Basic Education Principal Secretary Julius Bitok has confirmed that schools across the country will proceed with the scheduled half-term break on June 24, dismissing calls for an early closure amid a growing wave of student unrest that has affected dozens of learning institutions.
Speaking on Monday during an inspection visit to a school in Nairobi, Bitok maintained that the Ministry of Education would not alter the academic calendar despite concerns raised by parents, education stakeholders and members of the public following a series of strikes reported in schools nationwide.
The PS insisted that the disruptions, while concerning, involve only a small fraction of schools and should not be allowed to interfere with learning for the overwhelming majority of students.
“There are people who are feeling like, well, there is a lot of pressure, but we are saying the school calendar remains unchanged, and we are not going to change the school calendar,” Bitok said.
He added: “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.”
His remarks come at a time when pressure has been mounting on the government to review the school calendar following a spike in student unrest that has seen several schools closed indefinitely.
According to Bitok, approximately 80 schools have been affected by strikes and disturbances in recent weeks. However, he noted that the figure represents less than one per cent of the country’s more than 9,500 schools.
“Right now, we have about 80 schools that have gone on strike against 9,500 schools. So 99.2 per cent of learning is going on. Because of 0.8 per cent, we cannot interrupt the calendar of 99.2 per cent,” he explained.
The PS emphasized that the government remains committed to ensuring stability in schools while protecting learning time for millions of students across the country.
As part of efforts to address the growing concerns, the Ministry of Education has deployed an additional 400 quality assurance officers to carry out inspections in schools. The inspections are aimed at assessing compliance with safety standards and identifying potential issues that could contribute to unrest among learners.
Bitok revealed that all boarding schools are currently undergoing a 10-day nationwide inspection exercise that commenced on June 2.
The inspections are expected to examine school management practices, student welfare, infrastructure safety and adherence to ministry regulations.
While acknowledging the rise in unrest cases, the PS suggested that increasing pressure on students could be contributing to the situation. He observed that learners are often influenced by challenges they encounter both at school and within society.
He urged teachers and school administrators to strengthen communication channels with students and involve them more in discussions affecting their welfare.
“We must engage the students through their student leadership organisations and open dialogue with them so that we can reduce tension,” Bitok said.
The government’s position means that schools will continue operating under the existing academic calendar, with learners expected to break for half-term on June 24 unless otherwise communicated by the Ministry of Education.
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