
As schools begin the first term of 2025, parents are excited for their children to advance to the next grade.
The December holiday provided a lengthy break, allowing families time to bond.
With the new term, many parents are ensuring their children return to school safely.
In Kenya, last-minute shopping is a common practice. While some prefer early preparation, others wait for the final offers.
From Monday, primary and junior secondary students were seen heading to school early in the morning. Boarding school students also traveled to their destinations.
Matatus have capitalized on this rush, raising fares to various locations. Some parents, concerned about possible protests, kept their children home on Monday.
Many parents voiced their dissatisfaction, complaining about increased fees and a policy requiring full payment before students could be admitted.
Education CS Julius Ogamba visited several schools in Kajiado County, including Oloolua, Arap Moi, Kimuka, and Ongata Rongai, to review preparations for the transition of grade 8 pupils to grade 9.
He confirmed that new classrooms have been built to accommodate the additional students, more textbooks will be provided, and 20,000 new intern teachers have been hired to ensure smooth learning.
In a gazette notice issued on January 4, 2025, the CS announced that the first term will last 13 weeks, with a five-day mid-term break.
To ensure student safety, he urged parents to register their children with Taifa Care, which replaced EduAfya.

Following an August 2024 accident at Hillside Endarasha Academy, concerns about boarding school safety have been raised.
Supermarkets experienced longer queues than usual as shoppers stocked up on items, while book vendors and stationers saw increased sales of study materials.
Businesses have flourished over the past three days due to the school reopenings, although some vendors faced losses due to outdated materials from the recent curriculum changes.
Despite some challenges, the school year has begun smoothly for most.