Education Cabinet Secretary Ezekiel Machogu has directed that school days begin at 8 a.m. and end at 3:45 p.m., including designated break times.
In a statement, the CS directed school leaders to ensure that teaching hours totaled 6 hours. The CS emphasised that the time allotted was sufficient for effective teaching and learning.
Furthermore, the designated timelines would provide students with ample opportunities for independent reading and participation in extracurricular activities.
“The Cabinet Secretary for Education, Ezekiel Machogu, has asked primary and secondary schools’ headteachers to ensure teaching starts at 8.00 am and ends at 3.45 pm on weekdays.
“Machogu said the Ministry provides for a maximum of six hours of teaching, noting that the education of learners should be natural and not forced,” read the statement in part.
The CS explained that several developed countries had fewer teaching hours and still met their targets.
“He said Finland has a 3-hour teaching regime yet it is reputed to have a world-class system of education,” read the statement in part.
Machogu issued the directive while meeting with Kenya Secondary School Heads Association (KESSHA) officials led by chairperson Indimuli Kahi.
During the Friday meeting, head teachers expressed their concerns about the cost of school uniforms and the delays in the distribution of capitation funds.
