Proposed education calender draws mixed reactions

Written By:Judith Akolo,    Posted: Thu, Dec 29, 2011

In Uganda all the three terms have 12 weeks each(File Picture) The newly proposed education calendar that will see longer first and second terms is already receiving support from educationists. However some feel that the new development could have a negative effect on the students as they reach a level of diminishing returns in the long stay at school. Director of Eleana Preparatory School in Sabatia District, Elmanus Vodoti said that the equal distribution of weeks in the past has seen the syllabus coverage suffer as the third term usually has the examinations while at the same time the syllabus needs to be fully covered. But the Headteacher at Loreto Convent Musongari Pauline Macharia argues that the long terms will have a negative effect on the students as they reach diminishing returns owing to the long duration of the term. "It will be along holiday for the parents but not the students," she says. The Director of Hill School - Kakamega Selpha Omulisa says the school already had a calendar that sees the first and second terms long while leaving the third term for revision and examinations. "With proper consultation with the parents the new calender will ensure that children are well prepared for examinations," said Selpha Omulisia. The school's principal Washington Tsuma expresses similiar sentiments "The long first term will not be a problem as such since this is the time when most people have just completed the Christmas holiday and are rearing to go in terms of doing their best in areas where the students could have performed poorly and need improvement. We therefore support the proposal by the Minister for Education," said the Principal, Washington Tsuma. In Uganda all the three terms have 12 weeks each. The Ministry of Education proposed the change of school dates that will see the holiday periods in first and second term shortened to allow for an early closing of schools. While releasing the 2011 KCPE results on Wednesday , Minister Sam Ongeri said this will allow non interference in the examination season proposed beginning on the 19th of October. This academic calendar is to take effect from 2012. The first and second terms will be longer with 16 and 15 weeks respectively while third term will be 8 weeks. "This will make the holidays for the first and second terms shorter and there will be an examination period from 19th October when all schools will be closed. The circular to this effect will be released in January 2012," Ongeri noted. Stakeholders have until 13th January to forwards their comments to the Education Secretary.