Government decrees half-term for primary schools but maintains ban on holiday tuition

Education CS Amina Mohammed is encircled by delegates as they attempted to greet her after the opening of the 14th annual Kenya Primary Schools Head Teachers Association (KEPSHA) conference in Mombasa County. [Gideon Maundu/Standard]

The Government has extended half-term holiday to cover all primary schools in the country beginning next term.

Education Cabinet Secretary Amina Mohamed said it was necessary for primary school children and teachers to also enjoy mid-term breaks and refresh their minds like their counterparts in secondary schools.

Annual conference

Dr Mohamed made the announcement yesterday when she officially opened the Kenya Primary School Heads Association (Kepsha) annual delegates conference at the Sheikh Zayed Children’s Centre in Mombasa County, amid cheers from the 10,000 participants.

Kepsha chairman Shem Ndolo said the association had lobbied Government to provide midterm break for primary schools.

The CS maintained that the ban on holiday tuition was still in force and that any teacher found contravening it will be punished.

She said children need to spend adequate time with their parents while on holiday.

The CS also asked head teachers to maintain the highest standards of integrity and guard against examination irregularities.

“As you prepare for the commencement of the Kenya Certificate of Primary Education examinations, maintain the highest standards of integrity and guard against examination irregularities.

During the conference, Principal Secretary Bellio Kipsang told the head teachers to focus on delivery of credible examinations.