Education CS Announces Major Change to School Calendar Affecting Learners

Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Ogamba has announced that the second school term will be shortened starting from the next academic year.

Speaking during a press conference on Wednesday, June 10, 2026, Ogamba said the Ministry of Education will review the school calendar to ensure that all three terms are more balanced.

“Starting next academic year, the Ministry of Education shall rationalise the school calendar to ensure that the terms are balanced and that the second term is not as long as it has been,” Ogamba stated.

CS Ogamba Responds to Rising School Unrest

The CS noted that the changes are aimed at improving the learning environment and addressing concerns raised about the current academic calendar.

The announcement comes amid a wave of student unrest reported in several schools across the country in recent weeks.

The announcement comes amid a rise in student unrest reported in schools across the country, particularly in boarding senior schools.

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In the press conference, Ogamba said the government was taking the matter seriously following several incidents that have disrupted learning.

The CS cited the tragic fire at Otumishi Girls Academy in Gilgil, Nakuru County, which claimed the lives of 16 students. He revealed that investigations had established that the fire was deliberately started by some learners and had been classified as a criminal arson case.

According to Ogamba, nine suspects have already been arraigned in court and remanded in custody pending trial.

“We condole with the families of those who lost their loved ones and continue to wish those who were injured a quick recovery,” he said.

He added that all students who had been hospitalised had since been discharged.

The ministry noted that while cases of unrest have been reported in some institutions, the situation remains largely under control across the country.

Ogamba said less than 2 % of senior schools have been affected, meaning that about 98 per cent of schools continue to operate normally.

“So far, we have received reports of unrest affecting 204 senior schools across the country. Of those, 59 have since resumed learning, with more expected to reopen,” he said.

New Measures to Address Student Unrest

The CS attributed the unrest to several factors, including leadership challenges in schools, examination-related anxiety, poor conditions in some boarding sections, drug and substance abuse, demanding school routines, peer pressure, and copycat behaviour.

Also Read: CS Ogamba Issues Nationwide Directive to All Schools

To address the challenge, Ogamba announced that the government will establish a multi-stakeholder team to investigate the root causes of student unrest and recommend long-term solutions.

He also confirmed that the second-term mid-term break will proceed as scheduled from June 24 to June 28, 2026, and urged parents to use the period to engage with and guide their children.

In addition, schools have been directed to convene parent association meetings, strengthen guidance and counselling programmes, improve grievance-handling mechanisms and address welfare concerns raised by learners.

County and sub-county education officers will also conduct safety assessments and monitor institutions considered to be at risk of unrest.

The ministry said it will continue to provide updates as it implements measures aimed at restoring stability in schools and improving the learning environment.

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Education CS Julius Ogamba flanked by other leaders, PS Education Julius Bitok and Interior CS Kipchumba Murkomen speaking at Utumishi Girls Academy in Gilgil. PHOTO/ NPS