The Ministry of Education has announced that the second-term school calendar will proceed as scheduled despite recent incidents of unrest in a number of learning institutions across the country.
Speaking on Wednesday, Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Ogamba said the disruptions have affected only a small fraction of schools, noting that the vast majority of institutions continue to operate normally.
According to the CS, incidents of unrest have been reported in 204 senior schools, while approximately 98 percent of schools remain stable and continue with learning activities without interruption.
Ogamba emphasized that primary schools and junior schools have largely remained unaffected, with no major disruptions reported.
As a result, the ministry will maintain the approved academic calendar, including the second-term mid-term break scheduled to run from June 24 to June 28, 2026.
“The unrest appears to be driven by a variety of factors, including leadership challenges in institutions; learner anxiety and examination-related stress; poor school conditions, especially in boarding sections; alcohol and drug abuse; strenuous school routines; peer influence and copycat behaviour, with learners demanding to be released early from school,” Ogamba said.
The announcement comes amid growing calls from some stakeholders for an earlier mid-term break following a wave of school disturbances that have seen dormitories and other facilities damaged through arson and vandalism.
One of the most tragic incidents occurred at Utumishi Girls Academy, where a dormitory fire on May 28, 2026, claimed the lives of 16 students and left dozens of others injured.
Nine girls linked to the incident were later arraigned before a court in Naivasha, which ordered their detention at a children’s remand home for 21 days pending investigations.
The Education CS warned that unlawful acts in schools would be addressed firmly and urged school administrators to identify and resolve emerging challenges before they escalate into crises.
To address the growing concerns, the ministry announced plans to establish a multi-stakeholder task force that will investigate the root causes of school unrest and recommend long-term solutions.
Ogamba also called on parents to use the upcoming mid-term break to engage with their children, promote discipline, and help nurture responsible behaviour.
The government hopes that closer collaboration between parents, teachers, school administrators, and other stakeholders will help curb the recent wave of unrest and restore confidence in the safety of learning institutions nationwide.
