As schools across Kenya prepare to close for the August holiday this week, parents and educators are facing heightened concerns over student safety amid ongoing anti-government protests led by Generation Z.
The second term, marred by disruptions from the protests demanding better governance and accountability, has ended, leading into a three-week holiday from August 2 to August 25.
National Parents Association chairman Silas Obuhatsa urged parents to remain vigilant during this period, emphasizing the need to protect children from the risks associated with protests, as well as other dangers such as drugs, bad company, and crime.
“We are going for the holidays at a very delicate time and it is the responsibility of parents to ensure that the children are safe not just from the protest but also drugs, bad company, and even crime,” Obuhatsa stated.
Following the August break, students will return for the last term of the 2024 academic calendar, which will run for nine weeks from August 26 to October 25.
This term will be crucial as it leads up to key examinations, including the Kenya Primary School Education Assessment (KPSEA) and the Kenya Intermediate Level Education Assessment (KILEA) from October 28-31, and the Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) exams from November 4 to November 22.
The extended holiday period, spanning from October 28 to January 3, 2025, will provide a significant break for students.
However, the immediate concern for parents and school authorities is ensuring the safety and well-being of students during the upcoming August holiday amid the ongoing unrest in various parts of the country.
