Schools break early for ‘half term’ over Finance bill demos

A number of primary and secondary schools have opted to break early for midterm holiday following a directive issued by Ministry of Education.

All schools were initially scheduled to go for midterm break starting from 20th to 23rd June 2024. However the dates were changed after schools reopening dates were disrupted by floods.

In a fresh circular, the Ministry of Education said the ‘half term’ dates are now revised to 26th to 28th June 2024.

It further asked all learners in boarding schools to report back to schools on 30^th June 2024.

However following a recent advise from the Ministry of Education, many secondary schools and urban primary schools are closing early for ‘half term’.

The Ministry officials had raised a security concern that could affect learners following planned demonstrations on Tuesday.

It discouraged schools against releasing learners on Tuesday for ‘half term’ as they may caught up in demo chaos.

The demonstrations dubbed ‘Ocuppy Parliament’ and mostly engineered by generation Z to protest against the Finance Bill 2024 will take place tomorrow in major towns in Kenya.

Boarding schools that will fail to release learners today Monday will have to wait till Wednesday to release them.

Some Principals of secondary schools also chose to release learners early due to budget constraints. They cited shortage of food to keep learners in school.

Some Principals released the learners as early as Friday last week. However many primary schools especially those located in rural areas will break tomorrow for half term.

Below is a circular that was released by the Permanent Secretary of Education, Dr. Belio Kipsang, effecting the changes on half term dates.

REF: MOE.HQS./3/13/3 (112)

All County Directors of Education

RE: CHANGE OF HALF TERM DATES FOR PRE-PRIMARY, PRIMARY AND SECONDARY SCHOOL

Following the disruption of the opening dates, it has been decided that the Half-Term dates for Term Two, 2024 be revised as follows:

Original Dates	New Dates
20th to 23rd June 2024	26th to 28th June 2024

All learners in boarding schools will be expected to report back on 30^th June 2024.

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 Princioals of schools under your jurisdiction.

Dr. Bell . Kipsang, CBS
PRINCIPAL SECRETARY