Uncertainty over the resumption of the 2023 academic calendar picked pace after parents issued fresh demands to the government over the planned Junior Secondary kick-off.
Addressing the media on Friday, January 13, parents lamented over the government's unpreparedness noting that many parents were not aware of the level's requirements.
In some instances, parents questioned why the government had not shared with them the books required for the academic level yet only 10 days remained till the reopening of schools.
"So far, nobody has communicated with us in regard to what needs to be done, bought, and the fee structure of the schools," Cecilia Ratemo, a parent, lamented.
"There are schools that will be merged and we do not know whether our children will be affected. There is so much uncertainty about what is happening," another parent added.
On the other hand, parents and guardians demanded that the government, led by Education Cabinet Secretary Ezekiel Machogu, takes responsibility for the confusion and provides them with a clear path forward.
Thomson Osoro, a parent in Busia County wondered why the government was only employing 30,000 teachers given that there were over 50,000 schools in the country.
"They want to employ 30,000 teachers and that is almost close to one teacher per school. The minister must come out and take responsibility," he stated.
Echoing the sentiments of teachers, a section of head teachers also noted that the start of Junior Secondary Schools was unattainable given that many schools did not have the required infrastructure.
Meanwhile, the Ministry of Education officials continued with their assessment of schools set to host the first Grade 7 students.
Some of the items that were being checked include infrastructure such as classrooms, libraries, laboratories and the sizes of host schools.
According to the guidelines, the institutions must have more than 45 students joining Junior Secondary with those failing to meet the requirement within a two-kilometre radius expected to be merged.
