Protest fears over Finance Bill push schools to early mid-term break

National Parents Association Chairman Silas Obuhatsa. [File, Standard]

Various schools countrywide have opted for early mid-term break in the wake of protests against the controversial Financial Bill.

The planned protests coincide with the revised mid-term break, raising concerns that students might be caught in the demonstrations or even influenced to participate.

This has forced some school heads to break earlier than expected, and as a result, disrupting teaching and learning for a second time this year after the April holiday was extended for two weeks following heavy rains and floods across the country.

Originally scheduled for June 20th to 23rd June, the break was moved to June 26th to 28th, according to a revised school calendar.

However, the Education Ministry has insisted that the mid-term break dates remain unchanged despite some schools taking an early break.

Parents in some of schools interviewed by The Standard revealed they were ambushed on Sunday evening with text messages informing them of the impromptu decision to proceed for the mid-term break.

"In light of the foregoing events in the country, we have reviewed the half-term dates. Please note the half-term break will run from tomorrow (today), Tuesday, June 25 to Sunday, June 30 2024. The girls are expected back on Monday, July 1 2024," read one of the messages.

Yet in another message sent to parents, a day school has cancelled Tuesday classes due to the demonstration. "Due to the demonstrations planned for tomorrow, we do not think it is prudent to bring children to School," the message reads.

Silas Obuhatsa, chairman National Parents Association had on Sunday called on schools to make arrangements for students' transport as they leave school.