As schools across the country prepare to reopen this week, Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Ogamba has unveiled a sweeping new directive aimed at tightening operations, enhancing accountability, and ensuring a smooth start to the new academic term.
The announcement, made on Monday, has drawn widespread attention among parents, teachers, and school administrators who are now racing to comply with the fresh guidelines issued just days before learners report back.
According to the directive, all school heads have been instructed to ensure full preparedness before admitting students, with strict emphasis placed on safety, infrastructure readiness, and adherence to government regulations on fee structures. The Ministry has warned that institutions found violating the set guidelines will face immediate disciplinary action.
CS Ogamba emphasized that no learner should be sent home due to lack of fees during the first weeks of reopening, reiterating the government’s commitment to safeguarding access to education.
He further directed regional education officers to conduct rapid inspections to confirm compliance across both public and private schools.
In a move that has attracted significant attention, the ministry also ordered schools to submit updated enrolment data within the first five days of reopening.
This, according to Ogamba, is aimed at improving capitation disbursement and preventing delays that have previously disrupted learning.
Teachers have also been urged to report on time, with the CS warning that absenteeism will not be tolerated.
He noted that the government is working on improving the welfare of educators, but stressed that professionalism must be upheld at all times to protect the integrity of the education system.
Parents have welcomed the directive with mixed reactions, with some praising the government’s firm stance while others expressing concern over last-minute adjustments that may strain school preparations.
As learners return to classrooms, all eyes will now be on school administrators to implement the directive effectively, while ensuring that the academic calendar begins without disruptions.
The Ministry has assured Kenyans that it will closely monitor the situation to guarantee stability in the education sector this term.