Education

State announces new half-term dates for schools countrywide

Students head to Allidina Visram High School in Mombasa on May 13, 2024. (Photo: Farhiya Hussein)

By Lucy Mumbi | Wednesday, May 29, 2024

Basic Education Principal Secretary Belio Kipsang said the adjustments were due to the disruptions in the reopening dates for Term Two.

The Ministry of Education has announced a change in the half-term dates for pre-primary, primary, and secondary schools across the country.

The new half-term break will now span from June 26 to June 28, 2024. The revision contrasts with the previously scheduled dates of June 20 to June 23, 2024.

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In a letter addressed to county education directors dated May 24, Basic Education Principal Secretary Belio Kipsang said the adjustments were due to the disruptions in the reopening dates for Term Two.

“Following the disruption of opening dates, it has been decided that the Half-Term dates for Term Two, 2024 be revised as follows; original dates: June 20–23, 2024; new dates: June 26-28, 2024,” Kipsang said.

He noted that learners in boarding schools are expected to resume classes on June 30, 2024.

All the county education directors have been urged to communicate the update to all school head teachers and principals under their jurisdiction.

“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,” Kipsang said.

Education Principal Secretary Belio Kipsang. (Photo: File/ Education Ministry)

Education Cabinet Secretary Ezekiel Machogu had hinted that the school calendar for the second term would be extended to ensure the syllabus is well covered after students sat at home for two weeks amid the heavy rains and floods.

Schools reopened on Monday, May 13, two weeks behind the initial date, April 29.

"Particularly for Form Four candidates, we will see how we can recover time lost by extending (the second term) by a few days. They were expected to close for three weeks in August this year and we might minimise the number of days schools will be closed," the CS stated while touring Kongoni Primary School in South C, Nairobi, where he assessed the impact of floods.

He said that while other aspects may be subject to change, the schedule for the Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) and Kenya Primary School Education Assessment (KPSEA) examinations will remain unchanged, with the exams proceeding in November as scheduled.

"The examination calendar remains the same; KCSE and KPSEA will be taken in the normal time from November," he added.