NPA Proposes Friday Half-Day for Working Mothers to Spend Time With Children
By News Brief
NAIROBI — The National Parents Association (NPA) Kenya has called on the Government to consider introducing a Weekly Friday Family Time Policy that would allow female government employees, including teachers and other eligible public servants who are mothers or primary caregivers, to leave duty at midday every Friday to spend meaningful time with their school-going children.
The proposal was made by NPA National Chairman Silas David Obuhatsa during the KECSHA Breakfast Conference at the Kenya Institute of Curriculum Development (KICD) on Thursday morning.
Under the proposed arrangement, learners in comprehensive schools, particularly those at the foundational level, would also attend classes for half a day every Friday before returning home for family time.
NPA: Parents Need More Time With Their Children
Obuhatsa said many Kenyan parents have limited opportunities to spend meaningful time with their children during the week, while weekends are often occupied by household duties, religious activities, community engagements and other commitments.
He said a dedicated Friday afternoon could give parents an opportunity to bond and communicate with their children, understand their emotional, social and academic needs, reinforce positive discipline and values, support learning at home and identify challenges affecting children at an early stage.
The association particularly wants greater parental involvement in the lives of young children at the foundational learning level, saying they require affection, play, attention and meaningful interaction with their parents and caregivers.
NPA Raises Concern Over Afternoon School Routines
The NPA also expressed concern over reports that some schools keep very young foundational learners in classrooms throughout the afternoon, with some children reportedly required to remain in school and sleep for prolonged periods after completing their morning lessons.
Obuhatsa questioned whether such arrangements are appropriate for young children who have already spent several hours learning.
“Why should a young child be forced to sleep in a classroom throughout the afternoon after a long morning of learning when the child could be at home playing, interacting with parents and developing important social and family bonds?” he posed.
He warned that excessive confinement and inappropriate school routines could contribute to fear, frustration and an early dislike of school among young learners.
Schools and Parents Must Work Together
NPA emphasized that parents remain the first teachers and primary caregivers of children and should be actively involved in their emotional, social, moral and intellectual development.
The association said schools should work as partners with parents rather than becoming substitutes for parental care.
NPA is calling for greater sensitization of parents on positive parenting, child protection, caregiving, foundational learning and the importance of play in child development.
Government Asked to Pilot Friday Family Time Policy
The association is urging the Government, through the Ministry of Education and other relevant ministries, to develop and pilot a Weekly Friday Family Time Policy, particularly for families with children in comprehensive schools and at the foundational learning level.
NPA says the policy should be developed through consultations involving parents, teachers, school heads, teacher unions, child-rights organizations and other education stakeholders, while ensuring that essential public services continue to operate.
Obuhatsa said investing one Friday afternoon each week in parent-child bonding, positive parenting, play, guidance and family care could improve learner wellbeing, discipline, foundational learning and family relationships.
“Children need teachers at school, but they equally need parents at home. Kenya must create time for both,” Obuhatsa said.
