2026 School Calendar: Term Opening Dates, Mid-Term Breaks and National Exams

The academic calendar dates to the 2026 academic year have been announced by the ministry of education.

The comprehensive schedule covers term dates in Basic Education Institutions and Diploma Teachers Training Colleges (DTTCs).

The circular was signed by Basic Education Principal Secretary Julius Bitok and was copied to Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Ogamba,the Teachers Service Commission, Kenya National Examination Council and the Council of Governors.

The circular has been dispatched to all regional directors of education, county directors of education and sub-county directors of education.

Admission Dates of Basic Education Institutions

Basic Education Institutions, which consist of pre-primary, primary, junior, senior, and secondary schools, will commence the year on January 5, 2026.

Term I will run for 13 weeks and close on April 2, 2026.

Learners will go on a five-day half-term holiday from February 25 to March 1, 2026.

The April holiday will last three weeks, running from April 7 to April 24, 2026.

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Term II and August Holiday Schedule

Term II is scheduled to last 14 weeks, opening on April 27 and closing on July 31, 2026.

The second half-term break will be observed between June 24 and June 28, 2026.

This will be followed by a three-week August holiday, which will end on August 21, 2026.

Term III Dates for 2026

Term III will be the shortest and final term, lasting nine weeks.

It will run from August 24 to October 23, 2026.

National Examinations Timetable Confirmed

The circular also confirms the dates for all major national examinations.

Kenya Primary School Education Assessment (KPSEA) and Kenya Intermediate Level Education Assessment (KILEA) are slated for five days, starting October 26, 2026.

In addition, the Kenya Junior School Education Assessment (KJSEA) and Kenya Pre-Vocational Level Education Assessment (KPLEA) will start on October 26, 2026, and take a seven-day duration.

The Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) examination will be done in three weeks starting November 2 to November 20, 2026.

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December Holiday Duration

Following the completion of examinations, students will begin their end-of-year long break.

The December holiday will last 10 weeks, starting October 26, 2026, and ending on January 1, 2027.

Diploma Teachers Training Colleges Calendar

Separately, Diploma Teachers Training Colleges (DTTCs) will follow a similar academic schedule.

Their Term III will, however, be extended to November 6, 2026, a period of 11 weeks.

Their end-of-year holidays will start on November 9, 2026.

Ban-On the Third-Term Secondary School Activities Maintained

The Ministry has also maintained an existing restriction affecting secondary schools.

The circular clearly states,“activities and visits to secondary schools in the third term of 2026 remain banned as per the earlier circulars.”

The directive applies to all institutions of basic education.

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Ministry of Education headquarters in Nairobi. PHOTO/Courtesy.