Education Ministry Releases School Calendar and Reopening Dates for 2026
After the conclusion of Term III, learners will proceed for the December holiday, which will last ten weeks from October 26, 2026, to January 1, 2027.
Basic Education Principal Secretary Julius K. Bitok.Photo/Courtesy
By Ruth Sang
The Ministry of Education has published the official academic calendar for the 2026 school year, outlining key reopening dates, term durations, holidays, and national examination schedules for learning institutions across the country. The calendar provides guidance for all Basic Education Institutions as well as Diploma Teachers Training Colleges (DTTCs).
The detailed schedule was communicated through a circular signed by the Principal Secretary for Basic Education, Julius Bitok. The document was also shared with Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Ogamba and copied to key education stakeholders, including the Teachers Service Commission (TSC), the Kenya National Examination Council (KNEC), and the Council of Governors.
To ensure effective implementation, the circular has been distributed to all regional, county, and sub-county directors of education. These officials are expected to relay the information to institutions under their jurisdiction and oversee adherence to the outlined timelines.
According to the calendar, all Basic Education Institutions—covering pre-primary, primary, junior, senior, and secondary schools—will officially reopen for the 2026 academic year on January 5. The first term will span 13 weeks and is set to end on April 2. During the term, learners will have a mid-term break lasting five days, scheduled from February 25 to March 1.
Following the end of Term I, students will proceed for the April holiday, which will run for three weeks between April 7 and April 24. Schools will then reopen for Term II on April 27. The second term will last 14 weeks and conclude on July 31. A second mid-term break has been factored into the calendar and will take place from June 24 to June 28. Learners will then break for the August holiday, which will last three weeks and end on August 21.
The third and final term of the year will be the shortest, running for nine weeks from August 24 to October 23. This term will mainly focus on syllabus coverage, revision, and preparation for national examinations.
The calendar also specifies dates for major assessments administered by KNEC. The Kenya Primary School Education Assessment (KPSEA) and the Kenya Intermediate Level Education Assessment (KILEA) will each take five days, starting on October 26. On the same date, the Kenya Junior School Education Assessment (KJSEA) and the Kenya Pre-Vocational Level Education Assessment (KPLEA) will begin and will run for seven days. The Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) examination will be conducted over a three-week period from November 2 to November 20.
After the conclusion of Term III, learners will proceed for the December holiday, which will last ten weeks from October 26, 2026, to January 1, 2027.
Diploma Teachers Training Colleges will largely follow the same academic schedule, although their third term will extend to November 6 and last 11 weeks. Their end-of-year break will commence on November 9.
The ministry further reiterated an earlier directive restricting activities in secondary schools during the third term. The circular emphasizes that visits and non-academic activities in secondary schools remain prohibited in Term III of 2026.
About Author
