Schools reopen for crucial third term

Schools across the country are set to reopen on Monday, August 25, for a short but intense third term marked by a packed calendar of national examinations, curriculum piloting, and financial strain for both schools and parents.

The nine-week term, the shortest in the school year, will run up to October 24, culminating in a high-stakes exam season that includes the Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE), the Kenya Primary School Education Assessment (KPSEA), the Kenya Junior Secondary Education Assessment (KJSEA), and the Kenya Learners Education Assessment (KILEA).

The Form Four students will face the traditional Kenya Certificate for Secondary Education [KCSE] national exam, while 1.2 million Grade Nine learners prepare for the inaugural KJSEA that will determine their placement into senior secondary.

Grade Three and Six pupils will also sit for their KILEA and KPSEA assessments, respectively, with the latter enabling Grade Six pupils to join Junior Secondary Schools. KCSE officially starts on November 3.

Schools will operate under strict regulations, with non-academic activities, mid-term breaks, and even prayer sessions remaining suspended, measures the government introduced to minimize exam malpractice.

“The tough rules were necessary to safeguard the credibility of our national examinations,” said Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Ogamba, who also confirmed that plans to reform the examination system and curriculum are on track.

At the same time, the Kenya Institute of Curriculum Development (KICD) is  finalizing learning materials for senior secondary, with new Grade 11 and 12 programs set to roll out in 2027 and 2029.

Yet, as schools reopen, challenges abound. Many parents say reopening in the middle of the month is straining their finances.

“Most of us have not yet received salaries to cover transport and fees. It seems we will not manage to send learners back to school on time,” lamented Jane Wambui, a parent at Maryhill Girls.

Transport chaos has also left students stranded at bus stops, especially those without prior travel arrangements.

A spot check at ENA Coach, Easy Coach, as well as Guardian booking offices indicates that both routes from Kakamega, Kisumu, Kisii, Migori, and Mombasa to Nairobi are fully booked.

“We are sorry, we are fully booked until Thursday,” said ENA, the Coach attendant.

School principals have issued stern reminders on fee payments.

“You are required to pay full third-term fees together with any arrears. We will send your child back if they report with balances,” read a circular from Muhudu Secondary School.

Schools are also struggling with delayed funding from the government, with principals urging parents to clear fees to enable institutions to run.

Kenya Secondary Schools Heads Association [Kessha] chairman Willy Kuria said many principals are struggling to ensure schools remain afloat.

“We are opening schools with empty coffers. We are going into examination season, where we need to procure chemicals for practical subjects as well as keep schools running. We want the government to release capitation before schools reopen this week,” he said.

Akelo Misori, the Secretary-General of the Kenya Union of Post-Primary Education Teachers (KUPPET), called for the timely release of capitation funds.

“Students are back in school, yet the government has not sent capitation to schools. As you are aware, national examinations are around the corner. How will principals prepare learners?” he posed. 

Misori warns that without urgent solutions to transport, fees, and funding challenges, the already demanding third term risks disruptions even before the exam marathon begins.

“We want to appeal to the government to consistently wire the funds as per the agreed formula. What we have is a situation where money is not released in full,” he said.