The Cabinet Secretary for Education Ezekiel Machogu has ordered primary and secondary schools to operate between 8:00 am and 3:45 pm.
This means that CS Machogu has effectively abolished morning and evening preps.
According to CS Machogu, the current curriculum causes mental torture on pupils because school days are set to start much earlier than it is supposed to.
While addressing members of the media on Monday, CS Machogu said that schools should adjust to the normal school calendar saying that the recommended time is enough for covering the syllabus within the stipulated timelines.
“We have given very clear instructions as a Ministry and taking into consideration the coverage of the syllabus. The syllabus will be adequately and properly covered from 8 am to 3:45 pm. let us not subject our pupils to unnecessary mental torture,” said CS Machogu.
The Education Cabinet Secretary gave a few examples where in the early hours of day-schooling pupils and students wake up and then return home late.
In his view, this has affected the mental health of many learners, and should be granted more time to rest and engage in extra-curriculum activities.
“We are subjecting our pupils, including those in PP1 and PP2, to unnecessary struggle because I have seen areas where they start their school day at 7 am and end it at 5 pm and in other schools even up to 6 pm.
“You find a five-year-old kid is woken up at 5:00 am and is taken to school, leaving school after 5 pm. this is even affecting the mental health of our young pupils. We want them to have enough rest and engage in sports. We do not want to subject them to a lot of unnecessary strain.
“Even the time for sleep for these young ones should be for around 9 to 10 hours. Let us make learning as natural as possible. We are not going to allow that because once it continues, it will affect the mental health of our children,” said CS Machogu.