Parents and education stakeholders in Nyeri have expressed varied sentiments following the closure of schools for the third-term holiday break that will last until January 6, 2025.
Speaking to KNA, Mary Wamaitha, a parent in Nyeri argues that an extended holiday break will be counterproductive for learners.
She says it’s practically impossible for students to retain what they learned throughout the term owing to the length of the holiday break.
“A holiday of two months is unbelievably long. Students will soon forget what they studied in school as they will tend to spend most of their time preoccupied with nonacademic activities.
This also happens to be the season when most families move upcountry to visit their grandparents where there is little chance for children to keep abreast of their studies.” she asserts.
Wamaitha’s sentiments bring to fore a common worry among parents who feel that prolonged absence of children from structured learning environments can lead to knowledge gaps.
The concern is particularly severe during a critical academic phase when students are preparing for national examinations that can significantly influence their educational trajectories.
In contrast, Joseph Kiiru, another parent, offers a more optimistic viewpoint.
He argues that the long break affords children valuable time where they can engage in online studies besides doing personal studies.
“This break can be turned into a perfect opportunity where our children can now sit down and carry out personal revision. In addition, it is a time when a learner can delve deeper into subjects that he was unable to grasp in class at the comfort of their home,” he added.
His perspective highlights the potential benefits of technology in education, suggesting that students can utilize digital resources to reinforce their learning independently.
Joyce Wangui, a primary school teacher at Wang’ata Primary School, shares her insights on how this break could be beneficial for students.
She believes that the time away from formal schooling allows pupils to explore their talents and apply what they have learned in practical settings.
“This will be a good time for students to explore their talents and apply what they have learned in school,” Wangui states confidently.
Her viewpoint emphasizes the importance of holistic education, where learning extends beyond textbooks and classrooms into real-world applications.
Emmanuel Ndegwa a student at Ngobit Boys Secondary School expresses relief at having time off from the strict schedule of daily schooling.
“We will have time to rest and refresh our minds as we plan for school reopening in January and continuing with our education system,” he remarks.
His comments reflect a common sentiment among students who often feel overwhelmed by academic pressures leading up to exams.
Ndegwa also focuses on the necessity of integrating effective study skills during this break.
He notes that while rest is essential, it is equally important to maintain an academic focus.
“We will have time to integrate studying skills that may benefit us in our overall studies at school through the internet,” Ndegwa points out.
On his part Nyeri County Children’s Officer Mr.John Mwaniki says parents need to be cautious about what their kids are occupying themselves with to avoid them spending time on unproductive activities.
Mwaniki emphasized that once out of school, children are confronted with a myriad challenges including from the internet such as cyberbullying.
He is now urging parents to take proactive steps to shield the young ones from inappropriate online content by blocking harmful sites.
“The internet has become a dangerous place for unsupervised children,” Mwaniki stated, noting the alarming rise in abduction, abuse and even death in some tragic cases.
He reminds parents of their vital role in safeguarding their children, emphasizing the importance of knowing their whereabouts and ensuring any caregiver is trustworthy and a person of good character.
“Children should be cautious when venturing outside, especially avoiding places with drugs or alcohol, as these can lead to assaults or worse since people abusing drugs have criminal minds. In fact, the best solution is for children to stay at home,” he warns.
Furthermore, Mwaniki is discouraging parents from inviting friends or allowing their children to bring over boyfriends or girlfriends, as it could lead to negative influences and risky behaviour.
“Parents should try to treat their kids nicely and avoid using violence when instilling discipline. They should try alternative disciplinary measures instead of using physical punishment, which is now against the law. Parents should communicate openly with their children, fostering trust and a sense of security during these uncertain times.”
Learners across the country broke for a two-month holiday break last week paving the way for the administration of the Kenya Primary School Education Assessment (KPSEA), Kenya Intermediate Level Education (KILEA) and the Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE). Schools are expected to re-open their doors to students on January 6 2025.
By Samuel Maina
