By Brian Said Iha, Nairobi, June 4, 2026
The Ministry of Education has ruled out any changes to the national school calendar or the possibility of an early mid-term break, despite a recent wave of student unrest and suspected arson incidents reported in several secondary schools across the country.
State Department for Basic Education Principal Secretary Prof. Julius Bitok confirmed on Thursday that learning will continue as scheduled, emphasizing that the government is focused on managing emerging challenges without disrupting the academic calendar.
Prof. Bitok noted that while isolated incidents have been reported in some institutions, the vast majority of schools across Kenya remain stable and fully operational. He maintained that there is no justification for a nationwide closure or alteration of the term schedule at this stage.
According to the ministry, a nationwide safety audit has now been launched to assess compliance with safety standards in learning institutions. The exercise is expected to identify potential vulnerabilities in school infrastructure, particularly in boarding facilities, and strengthen emergency preparedness systems.
In addition, school administrators have been instructed to enhance communication between students, teachers, and management in a bid to address grievances early and reduce the likelihood of unrest escalating into violence or property destruction.
The ministry has also directed institutions to scale up guidance and counseling services, with a focus on early detection of behavioural and emotional warning signs that could signal planned disturbances. Early-warning mechanisms are also being reinforced to improve response times when incidents occur.
Education officials say the measures are part of a broader preventive strategy aimed at restoring stability in schools while ensuring that learners remain in class throughout the academic term.
The government’s position comes amid growing concern among parents and stakeholders following a series of recent disturbances in schools, including isolated arson incidents that have led to temporary closures and emergency evacuations.
One such incident involved a fire at Alliance High School, which resulted in a brief disruption of learning activities before the situation was contained and normal operations restored. Authorities have described such cases as isolated and being managed through targeted security and investigative interventions.
Despite public anxiety, the ministry insists that the situation does not warrant a nationwide shutdown, arguing that disruptions to the academic calendar would have long-term consequences on learning outcomes.
Officials have instead called for calm and cooperation from parents, school administrations, and learners as investigations and safety reviews continue across affected institutions.
The Ministry of Education is expected to release further updates following the completion of the ongoing safety audit and consultations with education stakeholders nationwide.
