Coast Muslim Leaders Urge Strict Enforcement of New School Hours to Support Pupils' Wellbeing
Coast Muslim leaders back new school hours, calling on education authorities to enforce rules that balance academics with rest and religious activities.
By John Mtongoi Newsroom
August 20, 2026
2 min read
Muslim religious leaders along Kenya's Coast have expressed strong support for the government's recently introduced school timetable, emphasizing the need for strict enforcement to ensure pupils have adequate time for rest, family, and religious education.
Chaired by Sheikh Abu Qatada, the Pwani Patriotic Religious Leaders (PPRL) highlighted concerns over extended school hours during a recent State House engagement. They welcomed the Ministry of Education's directive that limits classroom learning to between 8:00 a.m. and 3:30 p.m., with co-curricular activities allowed until 4:45 p.m.
The leaders argued that the new schedule offers a better balance, allowing children to engage in family life, community activities, and religious instruction, including madrasa classes, which had been difficult to attend under previous extended hours.
PPRL's key points include:
- Support for regulated school hours that respect pupils' need for rest and non-academic development.
- Concern that without proper monitoring, some schools may ignore the directive and extend hours unlawfully.
- A call for the Ministry of Education to implement robust oversight mechanisms to ensure compliance and accountability.
The group emphasized that enforcement of the timetable is as critical as the policy itself, warning that failure to do so could undermine pupils' social and religious growth. The leaders expect education authorities to move beyond announcements and ensure consistent application of the new hours across all schools.
