Second Term of the 2022 academic year-ends this week, just about a month after schools resumed learning after a three-week break.

It has been yet another short term, as learners not only took an early break owing to the General Election, but were also at home for two weeks, contrary to traditional three days for mid-term recess.

Parents will in next two weeks have to pay another round of school fees, even as they decry harsh economic times they have had to contend with, especially since the Covid-19 outbreak in 2020.

“The last two years have been so difficult. We cannot wait for this year to end. We have been paying school fees four times a year contrary to traditional three terms and it has been a tough situation to handle,” parents who did not wish to be named said.

Education Cabinet Secretary Prof George Magoha has constantly urged principals not to send students home over fees arrears.

“Let me not hear that you have sent a child to go back home to do nothing. That will not be acceptable,” Magoha warned.

The CS, however, urged parents who can afford to pay full school fees to do so and avoid taking advantage of the situation.

Amidst the high cost of living, a section of education stakeholders have urged the Government to review capitation for schools.

Magoha, however, ruled out a further increase, saying there are other ministries that also require funding.

Magoha said 25.9 per cent of the total budget is already being spent on the education sector and requesting for additional funding may not be possible at this point.

“There is a call we should be reviewing capitation. I would like to say we are already spending 25.9 per cent of the budget on education,” he said.

The CS has urged all education stakeholders to instead take a critical analysis on whether the funds allocated the sector are diligently utilised for the intended purpose.

“I want to encourage ourselves to look at how that money is being utilised because it may be difficult for the government to increase that capitation to say 30 per cent,” the CS explained.

Paves way

This comes against the backdrop of teachers’ unions calling for the government to give school fees guidelines owing to the tough economic times.

Secondary and primary schools are expected to close for less than 10 days while Term three is scheduled for September 26 up to November 25. This will then pave the way for the Kenya Certificate of Primary Education (KCPE)and Kenya Primary School Education Assessment (KPSEA), which is  set to run from November 28 to December 1 while the Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) will run for three weeks from December 1 to 23.

Learning institutions, particularly secondary schools, have had to put pressure on learners, in a bid to complete the syllabus in the compressed academic calendar.

To cover much of the syllabus, especially for the 2022 KCPE and KCSE candidates, the ministry has  called  on teachers to develop an elaborate schedule to cover as much as possible within the available time.

As schools take a break, Nandi Hills Deputy County Commissioner Leonard Mgute has asked parents to closely watch over their children.

Mgute said parents are tasked with the role of guiding their children when they are still young by safeguarding how they spend their free time in an effort to ensure they engage in productive activities.

“Bad company ruins good morals. As parents or guardians, you have the responsibility of working round-the-clock to shape your children’s character. If you do not take caution our future society will be ruined,” Mgute noted.