6 Hours: Machogu Orders Teaching In All Schools To End At 3.45 PM

Education Cabinet Secretary Ezekiel Machogu on Friday, June 16 directed that teaching in all schools should start at 8.00 am and end at 3.45 pm on weekdays.

Machogu in a statement explained that the Ministry provides for a maximum of 6 hours of teaching, in a direction to all school heads.

Arguing his case, the CS noted that the 6-hour window between 8 am and 3.45 pm was enough.

"The Cabinet Secretary for Education, Ezekiel Machogu, has asked primary and secondary education headteachers to ensure teaching starts at 8.00 am and ends at 3.45 pm on weekdays.

Education CS, Ezekiel Machogu during a past inspection of a guard of honour. /EDUMIN.TWITTER

"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 Cabinet Secretary made the pronouncement when the officials of the Kenya Secondary School Heads Association (KESSHA) led by its Chairman, Indimuli Kahi paid a courtesy call on him at his Office at Jogoo House on Thursday, June 15.

Principal Secretary for the State Department for Basic Education, Dr. Belio Kipsang challenged the leadership of KESSHA to regulate the cost of school uniforms among its members.

Indimuli raised various issues he wants the Ministry to address to make it easier for principals to manage secondary schools.

The change in timings of teaching across schools is part of reforms by the CS to bolster learning experiences among all students.

On Monday, January 30, he barred teachers from conducting early morning and evening classes for all students, decrying that teachers were overburdening students and leaving them with little or no time to rest.

Machogu warned schools against forcing students to report before the break of dawn or leaving school after dusk.

“With the resumption of the education calendar, the government will be vigilant on reporting time of students," stated the CS, adding that students are sometimes forced to wake up as early as 4:00 a.m. to attend remedial classes and that such practices will not be tolerated.

He warned schools that violate this directive, by either forcing students to report before dawn or keeping them past dusk, will face consequences.

The Kenya Primary Heads Association (KEPSHA), in response, asked the Ministry of Education to employ more teachers for the directive to be effective, with the association at the time terming the current teacher-pupil ratio in public schools at 1:50.

Education Cabinet Secretary Ezekiel Machogu engages KESSHA officials at his office on June 16, 2023. /EDUMIN.TWITTER