Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Ogamba has reaffirmed that the official reporting time for learners is 8am, while class hours run until 3:30pm, followed by co-curricular activities until 4:45pm.
Appearing before Parliament on August 19, Ogamba clarified that the schedule applies to all-day public and private basic education institutions from Monday to Friday.
“The official operating hours for all day public and private institutions shall be from Monday to Friday as follows a. from 8am to 3.30pm for class hours and 3.30pm to 4.45pm for co-curricular activities,” Ogamba stated.
However, the CS explained that schools may allow learners to arrive before 8am, but cannot require them to report earlier than 7:15am under Regulation 84 of the Basic Education Regulations 2015.
Ogamba stressed that 7:15am should not be interpreted as the official reporting time. Rather, it represents the earliest time schools are legally permitted to require learners to be present, with the period before 8am intended to give students time to settle before lessons begin.
“Regulation 84, subsection 2 of the Basic Education Regulations 2015 stipulates that no day institution of basic education and training shall require learners to report earlier than 7.15am,” he added.
The clarification comes amid continued reports of some schools requiring learners to arrive as early as 5am for remedial lessons, with administrators arguing that the additional hours are necessary to cover the expansive curriculum before the end of the academic year.
Some schools also require learners to arrive early to undertake duties such as sweeping compounds and cleaning classrooms. In other cases, parents opt for early drop-offs to avoid traffic and accommodate their work schedules.
Ogamba also addressed school unrest witnessed during the second term, assuring Parliament that the Ministry of Education has put adequate resources and measures in place to deal with potential incidents during the current period.
On hygiene, the CS said Boards of Management are responsible for implementing reasonable measures to protect learners' cleanliness, health and general well-being while they are within school premises.
He added that the responsibility extends beyond the school compound when learners are travelling on official school business or participating in activities related to their institutions.
