Tag Archives: schools

EDUCATION | First term to begin in September

Posted on by

After noting that the schools’ academic year is clashing with the government’s financial year, it has been proposed that the schools’ first term to start in September . This is because schools have experienced difficulty in running smoothly due to lack of funds. Mostly, the funds are released to the schools towards the end of the term, which is an inconvenience. In the proposed system, schools’ first term will commence in September and end in November, Second term will start in January end in March, Then third term from May to July.

Therefore, according to the proposal, it is convenient for first term to start in September, after the parliament has passed the budget and funds released by the Treasury for the public schools. If the recommendation is passed, both the primary and secondary schools are expected to adopt this system like the public universities. Although it is unclear whether private primary and secondary institutions are expected to adopt this system as well.

The proposed system is acceptable because in the current one; students who are not sitting for the national examinations are mostly expected to leave school until the examination period is over. In the suggested system, however, students will go for their holiday except for the candidates who will sit for their examinations during this period. The system will therefore, provide smooth running of schools and lack of funds for a new academic year will be long gone affair. What is your opinion on this?

Reference:

Kenyan schools may open for first term in September

THE ALCOHOL BILL | The pros’ and cons’

Posted on by

The alcohol bill better known as the Mututho law, is the bill that was passed by parliament a few months ago. The private member’s bill was nicknamed ‘Mututho law’ after the Member of parliament who came up with the bill. The law states that drinking hours on weekdays are between 5-11pm and no selling of alcohol before 2pm on weekends. The law also prohibits establishments selling alcohol from being located 300 meters within the schools. The law is aimed at controlling the consumption of alcohol.

Bases on the fact that a flamboyant portion of the country’s revenue comes from alcoholic drinks; it is questionable if the law is doing more good than harm. First, in terms of the economy, there is less productivity among employees. They are either distracted because of going through the day without their favorite drink, or they have to leave the work premises early in order to hit the bar at the drinking hours. There is also loss of jobs and revenue especially due to the regulation on the location of drinking joints near academic institutions. Many bars have had to close down temporarily or permanently because of this.

Let us not forget that most of the drinkers are moderate drinkers. Although, looking at the bright side, the good news is that there will be reduced alcohol-related problems and alcohol related problems among the youth; this is according to the anti-alcohol campaigners. All in all it is up to an individual. The law cannot conquer irresponsible drinking. Even with the law in place people still over-engage in alcohol. It should be uplifted for the sake of the economy.

References:
A counter to Mututho Law
Misery in Kenya as Mututho law bites
‘Mututho’ Law cannot deal with alcohol abuse