Parents have requested the government to extend the current second term of the education calendar by one week to enable students prepare adequately for learning and examinations.
And at the same time they have urged the Ministry of Education to direct school heads to consider reducing school fees to an equivalent of 9 weeks leaners are set to study for this term as compared to the tuition paid for the normal 13 weeks.
The National Parents Association Chairperson, Mr Nicholas Maiyo said extending the term will help compensate for the days lost during the electioneering period to enable teachers, parents and students prepare adequately.
Maiyo said the strains come at a time when schools are trying to catch up with the lost time following closures occasioned by Covid-19 pandemic.
“The consequences of children staying at home for long might affect their performance in exams, so we request an equal number of days to those for which learning was disrupted during the election period,” said Maiyo.
“Despite a few challenges in the Competency Based Curriculum (CBC) we as parents have embraced it, and more teachers have been trained to understand the scheme of works. The curriculum has more positive influence on a child, as the values taught in schools will enable a student to be independent and horn their talents,” Maiyo said.
“Due to the two weeks closure which has interrupted the school calendar, we call for comprehensive revision of the school calendar that will allow students to have enough time before exams as well as easing the financial pressure on parents,” he added.
Many parents have also voiced their displeasure about the high cost of transport fare. “Most matatu saccos have raised fares so many parents are struggling to raise money for fare for their children,” Maiyo said.
“We are in a difficult transition period, but we hope that everything will go on well and there will be no more interferences with the calendar,” he said.
