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Schools across Kenya began the second-term midterm break on Wednesday, with learners heading home for the five-day holiday that will run until June 28. Classes are expected to resume on Monday, June 29, ahead of the end of the second term on July 31.
Unlike previous school closing days that often result in heavy traffic on major highways, this year’s midterm break was marked by relatively smooth travel.
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The holiday comes at a time when schools have been grappling with a surge in student unrest that has disrupted learning in several institutions across the country. While most schools remained open until the official closing date, others had already shut down after experiencing riots, arson incidents, or heightened tensions among students.
A number of schools were forced to close following dormitory fires believed to have been started by learners, while some administrators opted to send students home as a preventive measure to avoid similar incidents.
Despite the unrest, the Ministry of Education maintained that the disturbances affected only a small fraction of schools and did not justify a nationwide early closure.
According to a government audit, 204 schools were affected by student unrest.
Former Basic Education Principal Secretary Julius Bitok said less than one percent of schools had experienced disturbances, adding that learning continued normally in the vast majority of institutions.
He urged school administrators to remain alert to signs of unrest and noted that examination pressure had emerged as one of the major causes of student dissatisfaction.
Bitok also encouraged schools to adopt dialogue and engagement when addressing student concerns, suggesting that examinations could be rescheduled in some cases to ease pressure on learners.
The unrest has attracted national attention after affecting some of Kenya’s top-performing schools, including Alliance High School and Mang’u High School, institutions that have historically recorded few cases of indiscipline.
In some schools that experienced no incidents, students reportedly demanded to be sent home after learning that peers in other institutions had already been released.
Many parents were instructed to pick up their children from affected schools as administrators sought to contain growing tensions.
The recent wave of unrest followed the tragic May 28 dormitory fire at Utumishi Girls Academy in Gilgil, Nakuru County, which claimed the lives of 16 students and left dozens of others injured.
In response, Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Ogamba announced that the government is considering shortening the second school term from next year, arguing that the current 14-week term may be contributing to fatigue, stress, and indiscipline among learners.
He said the Ministry of Education plans to review the academic calendar to create a more balanced school schedule.
The midterm break means students whose schools closed earlier due to unrest will remain away from class even longer before returning to complete the remainder of the term.
Meanwhile, President William Ruto has urged parents to use the holiday period to spend quality time with their children and help instill positive values.
Speaking during the 95th St John Ambulance Annual Parade and Inspection at State House, Nairobi, the President expressed concern over the recent incidents, noting that some had resulted in loss of life and serious consequences for those implicated.
His remarks came shortly before the Director of Public Prosecutions approved murder charges against nine girls accused of causing the Utumishi Girls Academy fire that killed 16 students.
The President called on young people to learn from the recent tragedies and understand that their decisions carry lasting consequences.
