HII TENA? CHANGES IN SCHOOL CLOSING DATES.
School heads are rushing to close the institutions ahead of the festive season, bringing to an end a term that has been marked by a wave of student unrest.
Majority of national and extra county secondary schools started closing as early as Tuesday, a week before the government stated closing date of December 23, to enable learners beat the heavy traffic expect during the Christmas holidays.
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Day schools are expected to close latest Monday next week, according to sources in the headteachers associations who sought anonymity for fear of being seen to defy the ministry’s guidelines on opening and closing dates.
The early closure is also intended to create room for teachers to participate in the Competency Based Curriculum (CBC) training which is underway at the sub-county level and the controversial refresher courses recommended by the Teachers Service Commission.
Yesterday, thousands of learners were spotted at bus termini boarding vehicles.
The second term, which started in October, has been characterised by a wave of unrest ranging from burning of school facilities to student walkouts among other rebellious acts.
Travel crisis
“Schools independently took that decision to move closing date forward, coming against the backdrop of high tension of unrests in a majority of learning institutions,” said an official of the secondary schools headteachers association.
Education officials who spoke to People Daily also said the headteachers thought it wise to close early to avert a travel crisis.
“We are in Christmas festivities and the rush that comes with it is something principals might have taken into consideration. Some learners are travelling long distances and the struggle that comes with public service vehicles at such a time is huge,” the official added.
Public Service Vehicles traditionally hike fares during the festive period. There is also a severe shortage of vehicles during the period, leading to long queues.
According to the revised school calendar released last year to cover lost learning time during the Covid-19 pandemic, the second term was scheduled to end on December 23.
The school calendar has been tight with learners having to contend with very short breaks between terms.
Sourced from people daily
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