The Ministry of Education has moved to clarify the opening dates for Term III of the 2026 academic year, dismissing reports circulating on social media that the school calendar had been changed.
In a press statement dated Wednesday, August 19, 2026, the Ministry said the academic calendar for basic education institutions and Teacher Training Colleges remains unchanged. The clarification is expected to ease uncertainty among parents, teachers, learners and education stakeholders ahead of the reopening of schools.
According to the Ministry, basic education institutions will open for Term III on Monday, August 24, 2026, with the term scheduled to run until October 23, 2026.
The Ministry also confirmed that Teacher Training Colleges (TTCs) will follow the approved calendar, with the third term beginning on August 24, 2026, and running until November 6, 2026.
The announcement comes after misleading information reportedly began circulating on various social media platforms claiming that the government had changed the 2026 academic calendar. The Ministry urged members of the public to disregard such information and rely on official communication channels for updates concerning schools and colleges.
Term III 2026 Opening Dates
The Ministry’s clarification provides the following dates:
- Basic Education Institutions: August 24, 2026 – October 23, 2026
- Teacher Training Colleges: August 24, 2026 – November 6, 2026
The confirmation means that parents and guardians should continue making preparations for learners to report to school on August 24 as previously scheduled.
The Ministry further stated that national assessments and examinations will proceed as currently scheduled. These examinations and assessments will follow the timetable issued by the Kenya National Examinations Council (KNEC).
This is particularly important for schools preparing learners for national assessments and examinations during the final part of the academic year. Any changes to examination dates, according to the statement, should therefore be confirmed through official communication from the relevant education authorities.
Ministry Warns Against Social Media Misinformation
The Ministry of Education has advised parents, teachers, learners and members of the general public to exercise caution when receiving information about the school calendar online.
Social media platforms have increasingly become a major source of education-related information, but unverified posts can create confusion, particularly when they involve school reopening dates, examinations, teacher recruitment and other government programmes.
The Ministry has therefore encouraged the public to rely on its official communication channels and field officers when seeking clarification on education matters.
For parents and teachers, the latest announcement provides an important confirmation: there has been no change to the approved Term III 2026 opening dates.
Schools are consequently expected to proceed with preparations for the new term, while learners should be ready to report on August 24, 2026.
The clarification also signals that the government intends to maintain the approved academic calendar unless an official announcement is issued to indicate otherwise. Parents and teachers should therefore avoid relying on unofficial posters, WhatsApp messages and social media posts claiming that reopening dates have been altered.
With Term III approaching, education stakeholders are encouraged to monitor official Ministry of Education and KNEC communication for any future updates affecting the 2026 academic calendar, assessments or examinations.
