By WALTER MENYA wmenya@ke.nationmedia.com
Posted Wednesday, December 28 2011 at 20:13
Posted Wednesday, December 28 2011 at 20:13
The Ministry of Education has set aside an official national examination season beginning in October 2012 in new term dates announced by the Minister, Prof Sam Ongeri, on Wednesday.
Prof Ongeri said, the new measures will increase the period students stay in school during the first and second terms but shorten the holidays for the two terms.
Third term holidays will, however, begin in October.
However, the measures have been opposed by teachers who argue that shortening the two holidays will seriously affect teachers enrolled in school-based advancement programmes.
Beginning in 2012, the first term will have 16 weeks while the second term has also been increased to 15 weeks.
The third term will, however, be eight weeks for non-candidates so that they allow candidates time to sit their exams.
In the past, the first and second terms usually ran for 13-14 weeks while third term was 10-11 weeks.
Schools will, therefore, close around October as opposed to November to allow candidates sit exams set to begin on October 19, next year.
“In order to ensure that there is peace and calmness during examinations, my ministry in consultation with stakeholders has found it necessary to have an examination season where all schools will be closed,” Prof Ongeri said as he released the 2011 KCPE results.
Given that first term starts on January 3, 2012, schools are therefore expected to close in the second week of April.
Prof Ongeri has called for input from stakeholders on the new term dates ahead of the reopening on January 3.
The Education secretary, Prof George Godia, is expected to issue a circular on the new term dates once the ministry has received input from stakeholders, the minister announced.
Prof Ongeri asked all stakeholders with comments to forward them to Prof Godia by January 13, after which he will release the circular.
According to the chairman of the Kenya National Union of Teachers Wilson Sossion, shortening of school holidays will heavily impact on their members on the school-based programmes.
“Our members who are on programmes to advance their education will be badly affected. We feel that this is an issue that needs to be debated further.
“It disadvantages both the teacher and the learner because the teacher will stagnate in knowledge development and transfer,” Mr Sossion said.
“It disadvantages both the teacher and the learner because the teacher will stagnate in knowledge development and transfer,” Mr Sossion said.
Might not work
Similar sentiments were expressed by the secretary general of the Kenya Union of Post-Primary Teachers Akelo Misori, who said that the proposal was not well-thought out and might not work.
He added that the proposal showed more focus on exams with nothing to ensure quality assessment.
However, Prof Ongeri’s proposal may have considered the fact that teachers usually retain students in schools for holiday tuition, which may now not be possible if the new measures are implemented.
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It's not fair to us in the teaching fraternity.We use the holidays to further our studies because study leaves are hard to get.
ReplyDeleteFurther more,the Government usually delays in disbursing funds for FPE,FSE and double shift; how will schools run for a whole 15/16 weeks without money? The 13/14 weeks have been chaotic!
In fact the earlier proposal of starting the school year in September when funds have been disbursed would have been bettet!
Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteTeachers enrolled in further study programs will fit in the flexible university schedules. There is no point of worry. November and December are ideal months for these studies. Let us teach to prove to all that charging tuition fees from parents is all teachers are after as implied in many people's sentiments. But the proposed 2:6:6:3 System of education will certainly be a stillborn given the political dimension education in Kenya has taken. Education planners are either not well involved in these new education moves or one simply wishes off the 8:4:4 system since it has been the less corrupt institution standing.I am saddened by the possibility of a Standard six Kenyan drop out all in the name of a ''vision 2030 institutional changes'' or rather renaming.With corrupt use of education resources, promises and further promises, economic challenges or inflation 'machinations' hidden in the shilling or litre of fuel, I have grave doubt of our ability to finance and raise a new education system.
ReplyDeleteThere is need to think over rather than gamble with lives of young Kenyans.Kenya needs a new crop of patriotic leaders.
it takes times for Kenyans to implement on agendas passed and we as parents need to be aware if this one is going to happen so that we can lay down our priorities financially.
ReplyDeletetrue...
Deleteright now my children are on their mid term holidays and yet we are still in the dark when the are going to close the school for April holiday...I mean it should be publicly announced as this is the first time we will be experiencing the changes so that all the parents will get prepared with the school fees.
Speak up and announce the dates..
help.we are been forced to be in school for three weeks tution and the school has very poor management.help please.
ReplyDeletethe school is nyagatugu boys secondary school in muranga county we are reporting back on monday.please help.
ReplyDeleteIt's actually a great and useful piece of info. I'm happy that you shared this helpful info with
ReplyDeleteus. Please stay us informed like this. Thanks for sharing.
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