Parents have issued an ultimatum to the Cabinet Secretary for Education Prof George Magoha to either extend term dates or reduce school fees.
This year parents are required to pay school fees in a congested academic calendar which forces parents to pay school fees after a short time.
Besides, parents have also asked school administrators to consider reducing school fees if an extension of the term is not possible.
Learners were sent home for the midterm break which coincided with the General Elections held on the 9th of August 2022. Following delays in tallying of votes, opening dates were pushed ahead by four days, further disrupting the academic calendar.
“Schools were to open on August 11, but this was pushed to August 18. Our appeal is that the school calendar is extended or if it is not possible, they reduce the school fees,” said Mr Nicholas Maiyo, the National Parents Association Chairperson.
Speaking yesterday in Kiambu, CS Magoha said that learners will eventually catch up with learning.
“Our children are extremely resilient. Quite a number of them had completed their syllabuses. They have enough time to revise and their safety is of importance. Because we’re in a difficult transition period, let us hope that everything will go on well and that there will be no other interference with the calendar. Should there be a need there will be wide consultations,” said Prof George Magoha.
Magoha was responding following protests from parents transport fares to various destinations had increased.
The National Parents Association chairperson Nicholas Maiyo urged state agencies to assure parents that children will be safe as they travel to their respective schools after the elections.
“This morning, we have fewer children in town which are not normal, but we anticipate that tomorrow, more will be travelling back to respective schools,” said Mr Maiyo adding that there is a need for assurance on the safety of learners as they travel back to their respective schools.
The National Security Advisory Committee assured the nation of Kenyans of safety and peace across the country despite the presidential election results despite election results likely to be contested.
“The government has and continues to take all necessary measures to ensure that the entire country is safe and secure and calls on all Kenyan and business communities to resume their normal daily activities,” said Mr Joseph Kinyua, the head of the public service.