Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Ogamba has announced plans to overhaul the school calendar from next year by introducing equal-length academic terms, a move aimed at reducing learner fatigue and addressing the wave of unrest that has so far affected 204 schools nationwide.
Speaking on Wednesday, June 10, Ogamba revealed that the Ministry of Education was reviewing the current structure of the academic year, where the first term runs for 12 weeks, the second for 14 weeks, and the third for only nine weeks.
According to the CS, the ministry intends to standardise the duration of all three terms to approximately 12 weeks each.
“The first term is 12 weeks, the second term is 14 weeks, and the third term is 9 weeks. We are now going to rationalise that and have 12 weeks across the board,” Ogamba said.
He added that the changes are part of ongoing reforms aimed at improving learners’ well-being and ensuring a more balanced academic schedule.
“We are working on that, and from the next academic year, school terms will be rationalised as part of the reforms we are doing to ensure that our students do not get exhausted,” he added.
The proposed changes form part of a broader effort by the government to ease pressure on learners and teachers. The current uneven distribution of school weeks has often posed challenges for institutions, with schools struggling to balance syllabus coverage, lesson planning, and assessment schedules across terms of varying lengths.
Despite the planned reforms, Ogamba clarified that the existing 2026 academic calendar will remain unchanged. Learners will proceed with the scheduled mid-term break from June 24 to June 28, 2026.
The CS also called on parents to take advantage of the break to engage with their children and provide guidance. "Parents are urged to use the break to spend time with their children and to provide guidance and support to them."
"Any grievances or concerns should be articulated appropriately and shared with schools," Ogamba directed.
Ogamba Issues Orders In Response To Student Unrest
At the same time, the government has unveiled a series of interventions to tackle the increasing cases of student unrest and indiscipline reported in schools across the country.
Addressing the media at Jogoo House, Ogamba said the ministry was treating the incidents with urgency and would establish a multi-stakeholder committee to investigate the underlying causes of the disturbances and recommend long-term solutions.
“We shall be forming a multi-stakeholder team to look into the issues and causes of unrest and make recommendations on strategies for containing this challenge,” Ogamba said.
The committee will bring together various stakeholders in the education sector to examine factors contributing to unrest and propose measures to prevent future occurrences.
As part of the response, the Ministry of Education has directed all schools to urgently convene Parents Association meetings to assess learner welfare and discuss challenges facing their institutions.
Ogamba emphasised the need for closer collaboration between parents, teachers, and school administrators, saying early intervention could help address concerns before they escalate into serious disciplinary cases.
Schools have also been instructed to strengthen guidance and counselling programmes and improve channels through which students can raise concerns and seek assistance.
Additionally, school managements have been directed to enhance safety measures and respond promptly to issues raised by learners to create a conducive learning environment.
Meanwhile, County and Sub-County Education Offices have been tasked with conducting targeted safety audits and assessments, particularly in schools identified as being at a higher risk of unrest.
The measures come as the government seeks lasting solutions to the rising cases of student unrest, with officials hoping that a more balanced academic calendar, stronger counselling systems, and increased parental involvement will help restore stability in schools.
