The Ministry of Education has released the academic calendar for the 2026 school year, outlining term dates, holidays, and national examination schedules for Basic Education Institutions and Diploma Teachers Training Colleges (DTTCs).
In a circular signed by Basic Education Principal Secretary Julius Bitok, the Ministry confirmed the full academic roadmap for pre-primary, primary, junior, senior, and secondary schools across the country. The document was copied to Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Ogamba, the Teachers Service Commission (TSC), the Kenya National Examinations Council (KNEC), and the Council of Governors.
Education officials circulated the directive to all regional, county, and sub-county directors of education to guide planning and implementation at the institutional level.
Schools to open January 5, 2026
According to the official calendar, all Basic Education Institutions will open for the 2026 academic year on January 5, 2026.
Term I will run for 13 weeks and close on April 2, 2026. Learners will enjoy a five-day half-term break from February 25 to March 1, 2026. Schools will then break for the April holiday, which will last three weeks, from April 7 to April 24, 2026.
Term II to run for 14 weeks
Term II will be the longest of the year, spanning 14 weeks. Schools will reopen on April 27 and close on July 31, 2026.
During the term, institutions will observe a second half-term break between June 24 and June 28. Learners will then proceed for the August holiday, which will run for three weeks and end on August 21, 2026.
Shorter third term set for August to October
Term III will be the shortest academic term in 2026, lasting nine weeks. Schools will open on August 24 and close on October 23, 2026.
National examinations dates confirmed
The Ministry also confirmed the timelines for all major national examinations in 2026.
The Kenya Primary School Education Assessment (KPSEA) and the Kenya Intermediate Level Education Assessment (KILEA) will run for five days starting October 26, 2026.
At the same time, the Kenya Junior School Education Assessment (KJSEA) and the Kenya Pre-Vocational Level Education Assessment (KPLEA) will also begin on October 26. These assessments will run for seven days.
The Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) examinations will span three weeks, with candidates sitting the papers from November 2 to November 20, 2026.
Long December holiday to last 10 weeks
Following the completion of Term III and national examinations, learners will proceed for the long end-of-year break. The December holiday will last 10 weeks, running from October 26, 2026, to January 1, 2027.
DTTCs to follow similar calendar
Diploma Teachers Training Colleges will largely follow the same academic structure. However, their third term will be longer, lasting 11 weeks and running until November 6, 2026. The DTTC December holiday will begin on November 9.
Ban on third-term school activities maintained
The Ministry reaffirmed an existing directive affecting secondary schools, maintaining restrictions during the final term of the year.
The circular states clearly, “Activities and visits to secondary schools in third term 2026 remain banned as per the earlier circulars.”
Education officials directed the notice to all basic education institutions, emphasizing strict compliance with the academic calendar and the standing policy guidelines.
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