Schools are set to open on Tuesday the 12th of July 2022 after Interior Cabinet Secretary Dr Fred Matiang’i declared Monday a public holiday.
In a gazette notice issued on Friday, Dr Fred Matiang’i revealed that Monday shall be a holiday in order to allow for the celebrations of Idd-ul-Adha.
“It is notified for general information that in the exercise of the powers conferred by sections 3 as read with section 2 (2) of the Public Holidays Act (Cap. 110), the Cabinet Secretary for Interior and Co-ordination of National Government declares Monday, 11th July 2022 a public holiday marking Idd-ul-Adha,” read a Gazette Notice dated July 8, 2022.
Term two was scheduled to start on Monday 11th but will now begin on Tuesday 12th of July and last until the 16th of September 2022.
According to Interior CS Matiang’i, Monday has been declared a holiday and is dedicated to Muslims to celebrate Idd-ul-Adha.
Idd-ul-Adha is also known as the Feast of the Sacrifice and is the second and biggest celebration within Islam.
This day is celebrated to honour the willingness of the Islamic Prophet Ibrahim or Abraham to sacrifice his son Ismail as an act of obedience to Allah’s command.
Cash Crisis
The National Treasury has not yet released funds making running schools after reopening without funds a nightmare.
It is notable that this year has a compressed fixture with schools maintaining the same fee structure that runs for a normal academic year.
However, the rising prices of various commodities in the Kenyan economy have made running schools hard. The rising prices of various items can be attributed to the ongoing war in Ukraine among other factors.
However, heads of institutions are still calling out for funds for the second term since the Ministry of Education is obligated to provide funds for every term.
In addition, teachers who were involved in the marking of the national examinations are yet to receive payment for the same.
The Kenya National Examinations Council (KNEC) examinations were marked by teachers in April with results announced thereafter.
According to principals, schools are highly indebted and have called on the government to ensure that schools can access food items at lower prices.
Indimuli Kahi, the Chairperson of the Kenya Secondary Schools Heads Association (KESSHA) has asked the government to consider striking a partnership with the National Cereal and Produce Board (NCPB) to supply grains to schools at lower prices.
Parents on their part are feeling the financial strain of the reopening of schools with this term set to be the third time this year when they will be required to pay school fees for their children. The third term is also on the horizon meaning parent’s pockets will be strained this year.
Following the reporting of the first COVID-19 case in Kenya, the government closed all learning institutions starting from March 2020. The schools remained closed for around 7 months forcing the Ministry of Education to come up with a congested academic calendar.
However, the academic is will reset to normal next year.