The Ministry of Education has officially released the 2026 academic calendar for all basic education institutions and diploma teacher training colleges across Kenya. The new schedule, detailed in a circular dated 9th October 2025, was signed by Amb. (Prof) Julius K. Bitok, the Principal Secretary for the State Department for Basic Education.
The announcement brings clarity to millions of learners, teachers, and parents as the education sector continues to stabilize following several years of disrupted school calendars due to the COVID-19 pandemic and curriculum transition to the Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC).
Below is a detailed breakdown of the 2026 term dates, school holidays, and national examination periods for pre-primary, primary, junior, senior secondary schools, and teacher training colleges.
🏫 Term Dates for Pre-Primary, Primary, Junior, Senior, and Secondary Schools – 2026
According to the official Ministry of Education circular, schools will reopen for the first term of 2026 on Monday, 5th January 2026, marking the start of a structured academic year. The year will consist of three academic terms and scheduled holiday breaks between each term.
Term I (First Term 2026)
- Opening Date: 5th January 2026
- Closing Date: 2nd April 2026
- Duration: 13 weeks
- Half-Term Break: 25th February – 1st March 2026 (5 days)
- April Holiday: 7th April – 24th April 2026 (3 weeks)
The first term will run for thirteen weeks, giving learners sufficient time to settle into their studies after the Christmas holidays. The term will include a five-day half-term break beginning 25th February 2026, allowing both students and teachers to rest before resuming for the final stretch leading to the April holiday.
Term II (Second Term 2026)
- Opening Date: 27th April 2026
- Closing Date: 31st July 2026
- Duration: 14 weeks
- Half-Term Break: 24th June – 28th June 2026 (5 days)
- August Holiday: 3rd August – 21st August 2026 (3 weeks)
The second term will be the longest, spanning 14 weeks. This is typically a crucial academic period for both primary and secondary learners as teachers focus on completing the syllabus and preparing students for end-of-year assessments. The half-term break will occur in late June, while schools will close for the August holiday on 3rd August 2026.
Term III (Third Term 2026)
- Opening Date: 24th August 2026
- Closing Date: 23rd October 2026
- Duration: 9 weeks
The third term will last for nine weeks, marking the examination term for candidates in both primary and secondary levels. The Ministry has also maintained a strict policy banning all non-academic activities during the third term, including school visits, to ensure students focus on national exams.
📘 National Examinations Schedule for 2026
The 2026 calendar includes the dates for various national examinations that will be administered under the Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC) and the 8-4-4 system, which is being phased out gradually.
1. Kenya Primary School Education Assessment (KPSEA)
- Dates: 26th – 29th October 2026
- Duration: 4 days
This assessment will be administered to Grade 6 learners completing the primary school level under the CBC. The KPSEA will evaluate learners’ competencies before transitioning to junior secondary school.
2. Kenya Intermediate Level Education Assessment (KILEA)
- Dates: 26th – 30th October 2026
- Duration: 5 days
The KILEA assessment targets learners with special needs or disabilities at the intermediate level, ensuring inclusivity within the education system.
3. Kenya Junior School Education Assessment (KJSEA) & Kenya Pre-Vocational Level Education Assessment (KPLEA)
- Dates: 26th October – 5th November 2026
- Duration: 7 days
These two assessments will mark a critical step for learners completing Grade 9 under the CBC framework. The KJSEA will serve as a transition exam into senior secondary education, while the KPLEA will cater to learners in pre-vocational programs.
4. Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE)
- Dates: 2nd – 20th November 2026
- Duration: 3 weeks
The KCSE examination, which remains under the 8-4-4 system for now, will take place from 2nd to 20th November 2026. This schedule ensures that marking and result processing can be completed before the end of the year, allowing smooth university and college placements in early 2027.
🎓 Diploma Teacher Training Colleges Academic Calendar – 2026
The Ministry of Education also released a synchronized academic calendar for Diploma Teacher Training Colleges (DTTCs).
Term I
- Opening: 6th January 2026
- Closing: 2nd April 2026
- Duration: 13 weeks
April Holiday: 7th – 24th April 2026 (3 weeks)
Term II
- Opening: 27th April 2026
- Closing: 31st July 2026
- Duration: 14 weeks
August Holiday: 3rd – 21st August 2026 (3 weeks)
Term III
- Opening: 24th August 2026
- Closing: 6th November 2026
- Duration: 11 weeks
December Holiday: 9th November 2026 – 1st January 2027 (8 weeks)
According to the circular, teacher training colleges will run on a slightly extended schedule compared to basic education institutions. This allows sufficient time for practical sessions and assessments required for diploma certification.
🗣️ Ministry’s Advisory and Distribution
The circular, addressed to all Regional, County, and Sub-County Directors of Education, emphasized that all institutions must adhere strictly to the provided dates.
The PS instructed education officers to ensure timely dissemination of the calendar to all learning institutions within their jurisdictions. Furthermore, schools are reminded that activities and visits to secondary schools during the third term of 2026 remain banned, in line with the ministry’s efforts to maintain discipline and academic focus during examination periods.
Copies of the circular were also sent to top education offices, including:
- Cabinet Secretary, Ministry of Education
- Director General, State Department for Basic Education
- Chief Executive Officer, Teachers Service Commission (TSC)
- Chief Executive Officer, Kenya National Examinations Council (KNEC)
- Chief Executive Officer, Council of Governors
🧭 What This Means for Parents, Teachers, and Learners
The early release of the 2026 term dates provides parents and teachers with ample time to plan ahead. For parents, it offers a guide for budgeting school fees, holiday travel, and examination preparations. For teachers, it allows lesson planning and syllabus coverage to align with national examination timelines.
The Ministry’s decision to maintain consistency in term durations and holidays also signals a return to full calendar stability after years of post-pandemic adjustments.
📅 Summary of Key 2026 Academic Dates
| Term | Opening | Closing | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| Term I | 5 Jan 2026 | 2 Apr 2026 | 13 Weeks |
| Term II | 27 Apr 2026 | 31 Jul 2026 | 14 Weeks |
| Term III | 24 Aug 2026 | 23 Oct 2026 | 9 Weeks |
| KCSE | 2 Nov 2026 | 20 Nov 2026 | 3 Weeks |
📰 Conclusion
The release of the 2026 school calendar by the Ministry of Education marks a significant step in maintaining consistency and transparency in Kenya’s education sector. With well-defined term dates, holidays, and exam schedules, both learners and educators can look forward to a stable academic year aimed at improving performance and learning outcomes.
For parents, students, and teachers across the nation, the message is clear — prepare early, plan wisely, and stay informed as Kenya’s education system continues to adapt to the evolving Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC) framework.
