The Ministry of Education has announced an impromptu change to the school calendar, allowing boarding schools to release their students for the half term break starting Monday, June 24. This change comes ahead of the previously scheduled break, which was set to begin on Wednesday, June 26.
In a memo addressed to school principals, the Ministry explained that the early departure is intended to give students and parents ample time to make travel plans in light of the anticipated Finance Bill protests on Tuesday. Consequently, some principals have already informed parents to pick up their children starting today; otherwise, they will only be able to do so on Wednesday.
Students in day schools are also permitted to commence their half term break at the end of the academic day today.
The decision comes as protests against the Finance Bill 2024 have been gaining momentum. Since Tuesday last week, many Kenyans, predominantly Gen Z, have been demonstrating against the bill. These protests intensified on Thursday, spreading across major cities and towns including Eldoret, Nanyuki, and Nyeri.
Earlier changes to the school calendar were made at the end of May, adjusting the half term dates for the second term to run from June 26 to June 30, due to the impact of flooding on school reopening dates. The original schedule had the half term break from June 20 to June 23, with the term initially set to begin on April 29 before being postponed by Education Cabinet Secretary Ezekiel Machogu.
The Ministry’s latest adjustment aims to accommodate the current unrest while ensuring the safety and convenience of students and their families.
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