Education Ministry Unveils 2026 School Calendar: Key Term and Exam Dates Revealed

The Ministry of Education has released the official 2026 academic calendar for all basic education institutions in Kenya, providing clarity for parents, learners, and teachers ahead of the new school year.

The schedule, signed by Principal Secretary Julius Bitok, applies to pre-primary, primary, junior, and secondary schools, as well as diploma teacher training colleges.

According to the circular dated October 9, 2025, schools will open for the first term on January 5, 2026, and close on April 2, 2026, after 13 weeks of learning. 

Students will then enjoy a three-week April holiday before the second term starts on April 27, 2026.

The first term also includes a half-term break from February 25 to March 1, 2026, giving students and teachers five days off.

Second Term Dates

The second term will run for 14 weeks, ending on July 31, 2026, followed by a three-week holiday from August 3 to August 21, 2026. A half-term break is also scheduled from June 24 to June 28, 2026.

Third Term and Exams

Schools reopen for the third term on August 24, 2026, closing on October 23, 2026, after nine weeks of learning. Exams commence immediately thereafter.

The Kenya Primary School Education Assessment (KPSEA) will run from October 26–29, 2026.

The Kenya Intermediate Level Education Assessment (KILEA) and Kenya Junior School Education Assessment (KJSEA) start on October 26, 2026.

The Kenya Pre-Vocational Level Education Assessment (KPLEA) is set for November 2, 2026.

The Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) will begin on November 2, 2026, and end on November 20, 2026, followed by an eight-week December holiday running from October 26 to January 1, 2027.

Diploma Colleges

Teacher training colleges will follow a similar calendar, opening January 6, 2026, for the first term and closing April 2. 

The second term runs April 27–July 31, and the third term August 24–November 6, before joining the December holiday from November 9 to January 1, 2027.

The Ministry has maintained the three-term system, with visits to secondary schools during the third term remaining prohibited. 

Regional, county, and sub-county education directors have been instructed to ensure all schools receive the circular.