The Ministry of Education has announced a ban on all extracurricular and social activities in schools during the third term in a bid to minimize distractions as candidates prepare for national examinations.
In a circular dated August 28, Principal Secretary for Education Julius Bitok stated that the move is meant to ensure students focus fully on their studies ahead of the Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) and the Kenya Primary School Education Assessment (KPSEA).
“To enhance focus on effective preparation for national examinations and assessments, and to minimise disruptions, the Ministry shall implement strict controls on extracurricular and social activities during the Third Term,” the statement read.
The third term, often regarded as an exam term, will see KCSE administered from October 21 to November 21. The KPSEA will run from October 27 to 29, while the Kenya Junior School Education Assessment (KJSEA) is scheduled for October 27 to November 5. Other assessments, including the Kenya Intermediate Level Education Assessment (KILEA) and the Kenya Primary Literacy Education Assessment (KPLEA), will take place from October 27 to 30.
Among the events suspended are prayer days, annual general meetings (AGMs), prize-giving ceremonies, thanksgiving events, and visiting days, which typically involve large gatherings of parents and visitors. However, the ministry clarified that spiritual support for candidates will not be entirely eliminated.
“There shall be no prayer sessions for candidates involving parents, outsiders, or external visitors. However, regular prayer and worship activities conducted by school chaplains and teachers within the school community shall remain unaffected,” PS Bitok emphasized.
AGMs and other major school gatherings will now be confined to the first and second terms. In addition, all ministry officers have had their annual leave suspended during the exam period to ensure smooth oversight.
The directive underscores the ministry’s efforts to create a conducive and disruption-free environment for learners facing national exams. Schools have been instructed to strictly adhere to the guidelines as final preparations intensify.
