The Ministry of Education has ruled out the early closure of schools across the country despite the recent wave of student unrest affecting several learning institutions.
Speaking during The Kenya High School Speech and Prize Giving Day on June 4, Education PS Julius Bitok said most schools remain calm and learning is continuing normally, making a nationwide closure unnecessary.
Bitok noted that the government is addressing cases of unrest through dialogue with learners and enhanced safety measures in schools.
The assurance comes as several institutions, including Alliance High School, Nakuru Girls High School, Loreto High School Limuru, Moi Forces Academy Lanet, Saseta Girls Secondary School, and Lenana School, have temporarily suspended learning following disturbances.
The incidents have raised concerns among education stakeholders, especially because they come just weeks before the second-term midterm break scheduled for June 24 to June 28.
Authorities are also continuing investigations into the deadly fire at Utumishi Girls’ Academy in Gilgil, which claimed 16 lives and left dozens of students injured.