Bitok: No early midterm break despite disruptions in schools

The Ministry of Education has ruled out any unscheduled closure of schools ahead of the official midterm break later this month, saying learning is continuing normally in more than 99 per cent of schools across the country despite recent disruptions reported in some areas.

Speaking during the Kenya High School Speech and Prize Giving Day, Principal Secretary for Basic Education Julius Bitok said the ministry was implementing measures aimed at maintaining stability in schools and protecting learning.

Bitok said the official midterm break remains scheduled for June 24 to 28 and that schools will continue operating as planned.

“At The Kenya High School Speech and Prize Giving Day, I reaffirmed that there will be no unscheduled closure of schools before the official midterm break set for 24-28 June, as learning continues normally in over 99 per cent of our more than 9,500 schools,” he said.

The PS said the ministry was undertaking targeted interventions in collaboration with stakeholders to address challenges that have recently disrupted learning in some parts of the country.

According to Bitok, the interventions are aimed at restoring normalcy, safeguarding learning and ensuring that learners remain in school.

He said the ministry's priority was to protect every child's right to uninterrupted education while strengthening stability within learning institutions and addressing emerging concerns.

“The Ministry is actively undertaking targeted interventions in collaboration with relevant stakeholders to restore normalcy, safeguard learning, and ensure that our learners remain in school,” he said.

“Our focus is clear: protecting the right of every child to uninterrupted education, strengthening stability within our institutions, and addressing emerging concerns with urgency and responsibility.”

As part of efforts to enhance safety and learner welfare, Bitok announced that the number of Quality Assurance Officers had been increased from 600 to 1,000.

He said the officers had been deployed across the country for a 10-day inspection exercise.

“To strengthen school safety and learner welfare, we have increased the number of Quality Assurance Officers from 600 to 1,000 and deployed them on a nationwide 10-day inspection exercise,” he said.

Bitok said findings from the inspections would guide the ministry's next interventions as it works to ensure schools remain safe and conducive environments for learning.

“The findings will inform the Ministry’s next interventions as we continue working to ensure that our schools remain safe, stable and conducive environments for learning. The safety and well-being of our learners remains non-negotiable,” he said.

The PS spoke as students, teachers, parents and guests gathered at The Kenya High School to celebrate academic achievement and excellence among learners.

He said the resilience and determination demonstrated by students underscored the need to continue providing safe and secure learning environments across the country.

“The resilience and determination displayed by these young achievers today remind us why we must continue working tirelessly to provide a safe, secure, and conducive environment for learning across the country,” he said.

Bitok also commended the school's leadership, students and wider community for their contribution to academic success and discipline.

“My sincere gratitude to the students, teachers, parents and the entire Kenya High School fraternity for the warm reception during today’s Speech and Prize Giving Day,” he said.

He praised the learners for their discipline and academic performance and congratulated candidates who excelled in the 2025 national examinations.

“The exceptional leadership of Chief Principal Rev. Edith Koech is clearly evident in the character, confidence and achievements of the learners,” he said.

Bitok urged current candidates preparing for examinations to remain focused and disciplined.

The event was also attended by Dagoretti North MP Beatrice Elachi and Senator Esther Okenyuri Anyieni, an alumna of the school, as participants celebrated the achievements of students and their future potential.