School term changes vital

Following the widespread unrest witnessed in schools during the second term, the Education ministry has decided to overhaul the academic calendar from next year.

The restructuring announced by Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Migos Ogamba is meant to address learner fatigue and indiscipline, which were highlighted as the key factors that influenced the mayhem in June.

The key changes are the adjustment of the term lengths and mid-term breaks. The first term has been adjusted to 14 weeks for the younger students and 13 weeks for secondary schools. Term two has been reduced to 13 weeks at all levels, and the third and final term during which the national examinations are taken will be expanded to 10 weeks.

To cure learner fatigue, the February and June mid-term breaks have been lengthened across all the school levels. The August holiday has been extended to four weeks and December break shortened to eight weeks.

According to CS Ogamba, this rationalisation of the school calendar is meant to ensure a more balanced distribution of learning time. As the old proverb states, “all work and no play makes Jack a dull boy” and, of course, rebellious, as has been sadly witnessed.

However, fatigue is not the only cause of the student unrest. Other factors that also need to be addressed include examination pressure, poor leadership by the school heads, peer pressure and substance abuse. Poor boarding conditions have also fuelled the mayhem in schools.

A 52-member multi-stakeholder team that investigated the causes of the problems in schools recommended reforms to improve student discipline, welfare and safety.

Implementing these measures should help to streamline learning and avert disruptions.

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