Schools close early to protect students amidst nationwide unrest

Schools across the country have released students early for the August Holiday in response to escalating concerns over anti-government protests.

On Monday, in Nairobi Central Business District (CBD), several students in uniforms filled the streets with their school bags swinging over their shoulders as they made their way home.

The early release, a precautionary measure, aims to ensure the safety of students amid the growing unrest across the country.

The Eastleigh Voice has established that several parents received text messages from schools indicating an early closure to ensure their children’s safety.

“Dear Parent, Greetings. The school will close on Thursday, August 1, 2024. Please make arrangements for your daughter’s travel,” read a text message from a parent with a child at Kangaru Girls School in Embu.

However, they later received a revised message stating that the students would be released earlier than initially expected.

“Dear Parents, Greetings. For the safety of the learners, the school will close on Wednesday, July 31, 2024. Please make arrangements for your daughter’s travel,” read the updated message.

Several uniformed students in Nairobi's Central Business District (CBD) clogged the streets with their school bags slung over their shoulders. Photo: Justine Ondieki

Jane Wanjiru, a mother of two, told The Eastleigh Voice that she is relieved by the early closure, given the difficulties they faced previously when students were closing for midterm.

“I’m relieved that the school is taking steps to protect our children. The situation is quite worrying, and they should be at home rather than out in the streets,” she said.

According to the Ministry of Education’s 2024 school calendar, the August holiday is scheduled to last for three weeks, starting from August 5, 2024. Schools are set to reopen on August 23, 2024, for the beginning of term three.

Several uniformed students in Nairobi's Central Business District (CBD) clogged the streets with their school bags slung over their shoulders. Photo: Justine Ondieki

Term three is expected to commence on August 26, 2024, and will run until October 25, 2024.

Learning during the midterm of the second term has been disrupted by ongoing anti-government protests led by Generation Z, who are demanding accountability and better governance. The intermittent protests have caused significant interruptions in various parts of the country.

Several schools have had to close as students found themselves caught in the crossfire between police and demonstrators. For instance, in Mombasa County, a teargas canister was "accidentally" fired at students from Coast Girls High School as police attempted to disperse protesters.

Several uniformed students in Nairobi's Central Business District (CBD) clogged the streets with their school bags slung over their shoulders. Photo: Justine Ondieki

Other schools affected by the unrest include Moi Avenue Primary School and Holy Family Basilica School.

Tragically, a Form Four candidate from Isebania Secondary School in Kuria West Sub-County was killed during the protests in Migori County on July 2, 2024. In addition, a Form Two student at Siritanyi Secondary School in Bungoma County succumbed to gunshot wounds after being caught in the protests while heading to a barber shop.

During the mid-term holiday, two youths were also reportedly shot by the police, and 15 minors were among over 100 suspects arraigned in Naivasha Court for vandalising and looting.

These incidents underscore the fears parents have about the potential for their children to get caught up in such events.

National Parents Association chairman Silas Obuhatsa has urged parents to be cautious during this period when children are at home.

“We are going for the holidays at a very delicate time and it is the responsibility of parents to ensure that the children are safe not just from the protest but also drugs, bad company, and even crime,” he said.