When Julius Ogamba, Kenya’s Cabinet Secretary for Education, stood before reporters at the Ministry of Education headquarters in Nairobi on August 18, 2025, he didn’t mince words: "These ceremonies are not milestones—they’re distractions." His directive, issued just three days earlier, had already sent shockwaves through 26,000+ schools nationwide. No more PP2 graduations. No more Sports Days. No more talent shows or Prayer Days. All non-academic events in public and private basic education institutions were suspended until after the November 2025 national exams. And school heads who ignored the order? They’d face suspension—or worse.
The Crackdown on Celebrations
The ban, formalized in Circular No. MoE/SE/17/01/01 dated August 15, 2025, didn’t come out of nowhere. It was the second wave of a policy shift that began in July 2025, when the Ministry first warned schools to "strictly adhere to official learning hours." But this time, the message was unmistakable: education over spectacle. The decision specifically targeted Early Childhood Development Education (ECDE) graduations, a cornerstone of Kenya’s Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC), which has been rolling out since 2017. Each year, about 1.2 million children—barely five or six years old—wear tiny gowns, recite poems, and sing songs in front of beaming parents. But Ogamba called them "costly, time-consuming, and unnecessary." And he had data to back it up.
According to internal Ministry reports from June 2025, parents were spending between KES 5,000 and KES 15,000 ($38–$114) per child on gowns, venue rentals, photography, and refreshments. In low-income neighborhoods like Eastleigh in Nairobi, some families sold livestock or skipped meals to afford the ceremony. Meanwhile, the Kenya National Examinations Council (KNEC) found that instructional time in the critical third term dropped by 22% in 2024 due to event planning. That’s nearly five full weeks of learning lost—just as students prepared for KPSEA, KJSEA, and KCSE exams set to begin in late October.
How Schools Are Responding
By August 20, 2025, schools from Mombasa to Kiambu had begun canceling long-planned events. A Nairobi-based primary school issued a quiet statement: "We regret to inform you that we will not be holding our planned Sports Day and PP2 Graduation Ceremony." But they didn’t just cancel—they adapted. "We’ll celebrate with a simple in-house ceremony for the children, together with their classmates," the note added. No crowds. No catering. Just teachers, kids, and a few photos.
Sub-county education officers in Machakos and Nakuru had already shut down two PP2 events scheduled for August 25–26, issuing written warnings to principals. County Directors of Education—like Dr. Joseph Kinyua in Nairobi and Fatuma Ali in Mombasa—are now conducting weekly inspections. Violations are to be reported directly to Ogamba’s office on Kirinyaga Road. Under Section 42 of the Basic Education Act (No. 14 of 2013), non-compliant principals risk suspension, demotion, or even dismissal. It’s a heavy hammer. And it’s being swung.
Parental Anger and the Emotional Cost
But not everyone sees this as progress. On August 22, 2025, The Kenya Times published emotional interviews with parents in Nairobi’s Eastleigh and Kibera neighborhoods. "My daughter has been practicing her poem for three months," said one mother, wiping away tears. "She’s proud. To tell her it doesn’t matter? That’s not discipline—that’s disrespect." Others compared the ban to erasing childhood. "We don’t have much," said a father in Mombasa. "But we save for this. It’s the only time we feel like our child’s achievements are seen."
Some reports, including one from The Business Watch, claimed parents organizing banned events would be "arrested." But that claim has no basis in the official circular. The Ministry’s language focuses on disciplining school administrators—not parents. Still, the fear is real. One parent in Kiambu said she was told by her child’s school that "the police might come" if she showed up to the canceled ceremony. That’s not policy. That’s panic.
A Broader Shift in Education Philosophy
This isn’t just about saving money or hours. It’s a philosophical pivot. Since 2017, the CBC was sold as a child-centered system—fostering creativity, confidence, and holistic development. PP2 graduations were part of that vision: a public affirmation of early learning. But now, the Ministry is prioritizing academic outcomes over symbolic milestones. Ogamba’s team argues that Kenya’s national exam pass rates have stagnated, and the third term is the last chance to boost performance before learners move on to secondary school.
It’s a familiar story. In 2019, Uganda banned school dances and end-of-year parties for similar reasons. In 2021, Rwanda restricted parent-led fundraising events during exam periods. Kenya’s move is more sweeping. And it’s happening at a time when the country is under pressure from international donors to improve learning outcomes. The World Bank’s 2024 Education Sector Review noted that Kenya’s Grade 6 literacy rate had barely improved since 2020—hovering at 53%.
What Comes Next?
The ban lasts until November 2025, after the last KCSE paper is marked. But the real question isn’t when it ends—it’s whether it will return. Will the Ministry allow PP2 ceremonies in 2026, or is this the new normal? Some education experts believe this is a temporary measure. Others, like Dr. Amina Wanjiku, a curriculum analyst at the University of Nairobi, warn: "Once you remove ritual from education, you risk removing meaning. The child who feels seen at graduation is more likely to stay in school."
For now, schools are complying. Parents are grieving. And the children? Many don’t understand why their special day vanished. One six-year-old in Nakuru asked her teacher: "Will I still get my diploma?" The teacher didn’t know how to answer.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did the Ministry of Education ban PP2 graduations?
The Ministry, under Julius Ogamba, cited declining instructional time and financial strain on parents as primary reasons. Data showed third-term learning hours dropped 22% in 2024 due to events, while parents spent KES 5,000–15,000 per child on ceremonies. The goal is to maximize preparation for KPSEA, KJSEA, and KCSE exams starting in late October 2025.
Are parents being punished if they attend banned events?
No. The official directive targets school administrators, not parents. Disciplinary action applies only to principals and education officers who authorize or facilitate events. Reports of parents being "arrested" are unsubstantiated rumors. The Ministry’s circular focuses on institutional compliance, not individual punishment.
How are schools celebrating PP2 students now?
Many schools are holding quiet, in-house recognition events—no gowns, no crowds. Teachers give certificates, children perform for classmates, and photos are taken without fanfare. Some use classroom assemblies or parent-teacher meetings to acknowledge progress. The emphasis is on dignity, not spectacle.
Is this ban permanent?
It’s not officially permanent, but its longevity depends on exam results. If national pass rates improve significantly in 2025, the Ministry may reconsider in 2026. If not, the ban could become standard practice. The CBC’s original intent emphasized holistic growth—but now, outcomes are taking precedence over tradition.
What impact does this have on Kenya’s Competency-Based Curriculum?
The CBC was designed to nurture confidence and creativity in young learners—qualities PP2 graduations were meant to reinforce. Critics argue this ban contradicts those goals by devaluing emotional milestones. Supporters say academic rigor must come first. The tension highlights a deeper debate: Is education about measurable results, or about nurturing the whole child?
Which schools are affected by this ban?
All public and private institutions under Kenya’s Ministry of Education jurisdiction: ECDE centers, primary schools, and junior secondary schools operating under the CBC framework. That’s every school in Kenya’s 47 counties. No exceptions—even private schools with international curricula must comply if they offer Kenya’s national exams.
Nikhil nilkhan
November 20, 2025 AT 10:53It’s funny how we equate education with performance metrics and forget that kids need to feel seen. I remember my little cousin’s first school ceremony-she wore a paper crown and recited a poem about butterflies. No one filmed it. No one paid KES 15,000. But she walked out like she’d won the Olympics. That’s the stuff that sticks. Not test scores. Not rankings. Just the quiet pride of being acknowledged.
Damini Nichinnamettlu
November 21, 2025 AT 16:49Stop the crying. Kenya can’t afford to waste time on glitter and gowns while kids can’t read. We’re not in Europe. We’re in a developing nation where every hour of instruction counts. If parents can’t afford it, they shouldn’t have kids. That’s reality. Discipline isn’t cruel-it’s necessary.
Vinod Pillai
November 23, 2025 AT 00:07Look, I get it. You want to be soft. But this isn’t about being mean-it’s about survival. We’re losing 22% of instructional time to costume parties? That’s criminal. These kids aren’t in preschool in Sweden. They’re in Kenya, where 53% of Grade 6s can’t read. You want to celebrate? Celebrate when they pass KPSEA. Until then, silence. No drama. No fanfare. Just learning.
Avantika Dandapani
November 23, 2025 AT 06:05I cried reading about the little girl in Nakuru asking if she’d still get her diploma. That question broke me. Not because it’s silly-but because it’s so real. These kids aren’t asking for balloons or cakes. They’re asking to be told, "You did something meaningful." And now we’re telling them, "Your effort doesn’t matter." That’s not education. That’s emotional neglect.
Ayushi Dongre
November 24, 2025 AT 20:49The tension here is not between education and celebration, but between instrumentalism and humanism in pedagogy. The CBC, in its original conception, was a radical departure from rote memorization-it sought to cultivate agency, affect, and self-worth in the youngest learners. To strip away ritual is to strip away the affective scaffolding upon which cognitive development often rests. One cannot teach literacy without teaching dignity.
rakesh meena
November 25, 2025 AT 12:15Focus on exams. That’s it. No distractions. No ceremonies. No noise. Just study. The kids will thank us later when they get into good schools. Simple.
sandeep singh
November 26, 2025 AT 04:29Why are we even debating this? This isn’t about feelings. This is about national survival. Our kids are falling behind while other countries are outpacing us. If you think a paper crown matters more than literacy, you’re part of the problem. Stop romanticizing poverty. The Ministry is doing the right thing-brutally, honestly, correctly.
Sumit Garg
November 27, 2025 AT 19:08Let’s be honest-this isn’t about education. It’s about control. The Ministry is terrified of parents organizing independently. They fear community power. They fear grassroots celebration. That’s why they’re banning events, not because of lost hours, but because they can’t monitor what happens when parents gather. This is authoritarianism dressed as policy. And the World Bank? They’re cheering. Because they want standardized, measurable children-not real ones.
Sneha N
November 27, 2025 AT 21:34💔 My heart is shattered. 🌸 Imagine a six-year-old holding her tiny diploma, eyes shining, and then being told it never happened. 🎓 No photos. No hugs. No applause. Just silence. The Ministry didn’t cancel a ceremony-they canceled childhood. And now the children are learning that their joy is expendable. 🤍
Manjunath Nayak BP
November 27, 2025 AT 22:14You think this is new? This is just the tip of the iceberg. Back in 2018, they banned school plays in Nairobi because they "distracted from curriculum." Then came the ban on birthday cakes. Then the ban on decorating classrooms. Now it’s graduations. Next? No more singing. No more art. No more imagination. They’re turning schools into test prep factories. And don’t think this is unique to Kenya-this is the global neoliberal agenda. Education is no longer about growth-it’s about output. And children? They’re just data points in a spreadsheet. The World Bank loves this. The IMF loves this. And we’re too numb to notice.
Tulika Singh
November 28, 2025 AT 12:05Some rituals matter. Some moments are the only light in a child’s life. Removing them doesn’t make them stronger-it makes them quieter.
naresh g
November 29, 2025 AT 07:37Wait-so if parents spend KES 5,000–15,000, that’s a problem… but the government spends billions on infrastructure that’s never maintained? And the Ministry’s own staff get luxury vehicles and bonuses? So the problem isn’t the cost-it’s who’s paying? And why are we blaming poor parents instead of the corruption that drains the system? Hmm… interesting.
Brajesh Yadav
December 1, 2025 AT 00:45They took the gowns. They took the songs. They took the pride. Now they’re coming for the photos. 📸💔 I bet next they’ll ban kids from saying "I did it!" after finishing a worksheet. What’s next? No more high-fives? No more "good job"? Welcome to the dystopia, folks. 🤖📚 #EducationIsNotAMarketplace
Govind Gupta
December 1, 2025 AT 13:31There’s a quiet beauty in simplicity. A classroom. A teacher. A child holding a certificate made of construction paper. No balloons. No caterers. Just quiet pride. Maybe the ban didn’t kill celebration-it just stripped it down to what really matters.
tushar singh
December 3, 2025 AT 02:54This isn’t the end-it’s a reset. The kids will still learn. The parents will still love. The teachers will still care. And when exams are over? We’ll bring back the music, the gowns, the smiles. But for now-we hold the line. For their future. One lesson at a time.