Some schools across the country have reportedly confirmed that they will be releasing learners for April holiday earlier than usual over financial strain.
Some media reports indicate that several secondary schools will begin releasing learners on Thursday, March 28, due to a lack of funds to run their operations.
Among the schools that have reportedly confirmed the early closure include Naivasha Girls Secondary School, which is set to release learners on Thursday. The institution was initially set to close on April 4 in accordance with the Education Ministry’s calendar.
Huruma Girls Secondary School and Jamhuri High School, schools within Nairobi are also planning for closing and release the students before Good Friday for April holiday 2024.
According to the Ministry of Education school calendar, Term one, which started on January 8, 2024, was set to end on April 8, 2024.
Why primary and secondary schools might resume for second term late than usual
Learners were expected to take a three-week break for the April holiday, beginning April 8 to April 26. However, the early closure will see the holiday period for term one run for four weeks instead of the scheduled three weeks by the Ministry of Education.
The holiday might further be extended if school heads call for a strike as earlier warned. School heads through the Kenya Union of Post Primary Education Teachers (KUPPET) threatened to strike over delayed school capitation.
The union is considering calling a strike to paralyse the reopening of institutions for second term should the government fail to disburse the funds estimated to total Sh54 billion.
“We are giving the government seven days to disburse the funds otherwise we will instruct our teachers to close down schools and send students home until the day the funds will be sent,” KUPPET Chair, Omboko Milemba said.
The union noted that the government has only released Sh3,877 capitation to schools instead of the Sh11,122 expected for first term.
KUPPET says the delay has paralysed operations in schools, with the institutions finding it hard to meet their daily obligations, including utility bills, payment of non-teaching staff, and purchase of learning materials.