Education ministry has sounded a strong warning to all headteachers who have declined to let their students break for the holiday.
The early Learning and Basic Education Principal Secretary Dr. Julius Jwan made this observation while speaking at a conference held by the Kenya Private Schools Association (KPSA) in Mombasa
The ps stressed the value of learners spending time with their parents and guardians.
All Kenyan students were supposed to have a 10-day holiday starting on Friday, July 1, per the school calendar.
Ps Jwan reiterated that it was against the law for schools to keep learners in class longer than necessary and charge tuition in his remarks.
He also further noted that the break was also aimed at allowing the children to relax after a packed school calendar.
“Give parents time to be with their children,” Dr Jwan told the teachers during the annual conference.
Some reports have been making rounds that some of the schools had kept their students in class and continued to teach them against a directive by the government.
As per to the Basic Education Act, holiday tuition remains outlawed across the country in both public and private institutions with perpetrators risking conviction to a fine not exceeding one hundred thousand shillings or to imprisonment not exceeding six months or both.
These news comes weeks after Education CS George Magoha warned teachers from engaging in political activities or openly declaring their stance.
The CS. had cautioned the tutors against disrupting learning by engaging in open political discussions or attending political events at the expense of their duties.
In a statement the CS said , “I will not sit and watch as my staff and teachers join what I call stupid partisan politics. It has to stop because children don’t have political parties.
He added “I would want those who are tempted to still support parties privately. Do not go on an open display of who you support. My party is the party of children,”
All the Kenyan schools are scheduled to resume from Tuesday, July 11 for second term, before they close again days to the August 9 polls for midterm .
