Gov't Unveils New Dates For Half Term After Flooding Interrupted Reopening

• The Ministry of Education has revised half-term dates to compensate for days lost due to the April flood crisis
• Education Principal Secretary Belio Kipsang announced that learners in pre-primary, primary, and secondary schools will now break for half-term from June 26th to 28th
• The initial half-term schedule had schools breaking from June 20th to 23rd, but adjustments are needed to align with the new dates
• Kipsang instructed head teachers and principals to communicate these changes and noted that all boarding school learners must return by June 30, 2024

Didacus Malowa, a journalist at TUKO.co.ke, brings over three years of experience covering politics and current affairs in Kenya.

Nairobi - The Ministry of Education has announced new half-term dates to compensate for days affected by the April flood crisis.

In a circular released by Education Principal Secretary Belio Kipsang, the dates were revised to compensate for the lost learning period.

What are the half-term dates by the Education Ministry?

In the changes, Kipsang stated on Wednesday, May 29, that learners in pre-primary, primary, and secondary school would break for the second half-term from June 26th to 28th.

According to the initial half-term schedule, the break was supposed to run from 20th-23rd June 2024.

He observed that schools would have to make changes to planned activities to align with the new schedule.

"The change may require adjustments on planned activities and schedules. You are, therefore, directed to communicate the content of this circular to all Head Teachers and Principals of schools under your jurisdiction," read the circular seen by TUKO.co.ke.

Kipsang stated that all learners in boarding schools will be expected to report back by 30 June 2024.

Ruto suspends reopening

On Friday, May 3, President William Ruto said he had indefinitely suspended schools' reopening in response to floods.

Ruto called on MPs to allocate more National Government Constituencies Development Funds (NG-CDF) to help schools in the reconstruction process.

The president commended the goodwill of Kenyans and institutional volunteers who have continued to assist during the flood crisis.

He appealed to Kenyans to respect safety alerts and government interventions, advising against crossing flooded paths or driving on waterlogged roads to avoid endangering lives.

Education CS Ezekiel Machogu announces extension of second term

Earlier, Education Cabinet Secretary Ezekiel Machogu said the second term would be extended.

While inspecting schools in Nairobi County ahead of reopening, he stated that the Ministry of Education would reduce the duration of the August holiday to allow enough time to complete the syllabus.

However, the dates for national exams, including the Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KSCE), would remain unchanged.

Proofreading by Mercy Nyambura Guthua, journalist and copy editor at TUKO.co.ke