The Kenyan government has announced the closure of all public and private schools, effective Monday, as a result of the ongoing teachers strike.
National exams, however, will proceed as scheduled. Form 4 students and class 8 pupils will be allowed to remain in school to prepare for their exams. The Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) is set to begin on October 12, while the Kenya Certificate of Primary Education (KCPE) will start on November 10.
According to a circular issued by Education Secretary Leah Rotich, the decision to close schools was made due to the minimal learning taking place since the strike commenced. "The revision of the term dates for primary and secondary schools has been necessitated by the fact that very little or no learning has been going on in most of these institutions in the last three weeks, with the exception of the examination classes," Ms Rotich explained.
Rotich has requested that teachers continue to assist students preparing for the exams. "It is expected that TSC teachers who are in school and BOM teachers will continue to teach and prepare KCPE and KCSE candidates. Those already engaged in Knec examination management will also be expected to perform their duties as per the Knec Act 2012," she stated.
The issue of fee refunds for private school parents who have already paid full school fees for the third term remains unclear. Last year, when schools lost three weeks due to a strike, the Education PS advised parents to liaise with their specific schools to have the money refunded or forwarded to the next term.
Recently, the Kenya National Examination Council launched this year's national examination, announcing the dates and number of candidates scheduled to take the tests. According to Kenya National Examination Council Secretary Joseph Kivilu, 937,467 candidates have registered for the KCPE, and 525,802 candidates have registered for the KCSE.
Education Cabinet Secretary Prof Jacob Kaimenyi cited concerns about the safety of students, stating that idleness among learners had led to increased tension. "Some of the incidences of insecurity in schools had been reported by the heads of institutions and field officers during the said period," he said. The ministry's primary concern is to ensure the security of learners, staff, and school property.
The recovered account cited reporting by The Standard.
