Update: Monday, August 1, 12.40p.m: Education Cabinet Secretary Prof George Magoha has instructed that all schools close on Tuesday, August 2 in preparation for the General Election.
In a statement released on Monday, August 1, Magoha stated that all learners in public institutions will remain home for 10 days, which will be part of their mid-term recess.
" I hereby convey the government's decision on the immediate closure of all basic education institutions with effect from August 2 -3. All learners to proceed on their half term break and resume on Thursday, August 11," the statement read in part.
Education Cabinet Secretary directed that all schools close by Saturday, August 6, to pave way for the upcoming General Elections.
Speaking at the Rev. Gitau Secondary School on Sunday, July 31, Magoha announced that learning institutions will remain closed for 10 days pending the release of the outcome of the poll.
Meanwhile, he asked principals to allow the students who are at home because of school fees to allow them back before the break and follow up on the payments during the short recess.
"I would like to urge principals who still have students at home to immediately bring them back because we are breaking again on August 6 and we shall not open until 15th,"
"If you want to engage the parents then do so when the children are still at home so that if there is school fee to be paid, it should be paid then," Magoha stated.
However, the CS noted that the dates were tentative and were subject to change in the event of a repeat election. He also admitted that the national exams calendar could be affected.
"We may have to sit down as stakeholders and see whether it will be fair to examine the children if they will have lost a considerable amount of time, I pray that that does not happen, these children have suffered enough," Magoha explained.
The 2022 academic year has four national exams; the Kenya Certificate of Primary Education (KCPE), Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE), and the Grade Three and Six exams under the Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC).
KCPE has been slated for between November 28 and December 1, while KCSE will take place between December 1 and 23.
The Grade Six exam will be sat between November 28-30, with 1.27 million candidates registered to sit the pioneer exam under the new curriculum which will see them join junior secondary schools.
The CBC Grade 6 exam will constitute 40 per cent of the total score while the Grade 4, 5 and 6 school-based assessments will make up the remaining 60 per cent.
The Kenya National Examinations Council (KNEC) announced it would open a portal from August 15 to August 30 where Grade 6 learners would then select their preferred Junior High Schools ahead of the national exam.
