Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Ogamba has ruled out an early mid-term break despite a recent wave of student unrest in secondary schools across the country, assuring parents and stakeholders that the situation remains under control.
Speaking during a press briefing in Nairobi on Wednesday, Ogamba said the second-term mid-term break will proceed as scheduled from June 24 to June 28, 2026, dismissing calls to send learners home earlier following incidents of arson, strikes, and destruction of school property reported in several institutions nationwide.
The CS revealed that the Ministry of Education has received reports of unrest in 204 senior secondary schools since the beginning of the year. However, he noted that the affected institutions represent less than two percent of all senior schools in the country.
“Most of our schools remain stable and continue with their normal operations,” Ogamba said.
According to the ministry, 59 of the affected schools have already resumed learning after normalcy was restored, with more expected to reopen in the coming days.
Causes of Student Unrest
Ogamba said preliminary assessments by the ministry have identified several factors contributing to the unrest. These include leadership challenges in schools, examination anxiety, poor boarding conditions, alcohol and drug abuse, strenuous school routines, peer pressure, and copycat behaviour among students.
The CS also pointed to learner fatigue associated with the current school calendar, particularly the lengthy second term, as one of the concerns being examined by the ministry.
To address the issue, the government will establish a multi-stakeholder team to investigate the root causes of student unrest and recommend long-term solutions aimed at improving discipline, learner welfare, and school management.
While acknowledging that students may have legitimate concerns, Ogamba strongly condemned acts of violence, arson, and destruction of property witnessed in some schools.
“There can never be justification for causing death and destroying property. Any grievances must only be addressed through appropriate channels without resorting to unlawful actions,” he said.
The CS warned that individuals found responsible for acts of violence and destruction would face legal consequences.
Praise for Teachers and School Administrators
Ogamba commended teachers, principals, and school administrators who have successfully maintained discipline and calm in their institutions despite the challenges.
He praised education stakeholders for their dedication in ensuring that learning continues uninterrupted in the vast majority of schools across the country.
The ministry has also directed school heads to strengthen guidance and counselling programmes, improve communication channels between learners and administrators, and address emerging concerns before they escalate into unrest.
Parents Urged to Engage Learners
The Education CS called on parents and guardians to use the upcoming mid-term break to engage their children and provide guidance on discipline, responsibility, and positive behaviour.
He directed schools to convene Parents Association meetings to discuss learner welfare and develop strategies for addressing challenges affecting students.
Ogamba emphasized that nurturing responsible and disciplined learners cannot be left to schools alone.
“Raising our children is a collective responsibility that requires the involvement of parents, teachers, school managers, community leaders, policymakers, and the government,” he said.
He urged all stakeholders to work together to ensure schools remain safe, secure, and conducive environments for learning.
The ministry also announced plans to review the school calendar beginning next year to create a more balanced academic schedule and reduce learner fatigue, which has been cited as one of the factors contributing to unrest in boarding schools.The Ministry reported 204 schools affected by unrest, with 59 having resumed normal learning. The June mid-term break remains scheduled for June 24–28, 2026.
