The Ministry of Education has officially released the updated academic calendar for the third term of the 2025 school year, marking an important phase as learners, parents, and teachers prepare for the most crucial part of the academic cycle.
The calendar, issued through the Office of the Principal Secretary of Basic Education, lays out critical dates for learning institutions across the country, including timelines for national examinations and assessment periods under the Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC).
The new schedule incorporates key examination dates for the Kenya Primary School Education Assessment (KPSEA), the Kenya Intermediate Level Education Assessment (KILEA), the Kenya Junior School Education Assessment (KJSEA), and the Kenya Pre-vocational Level Education Assessment (KPLEA).
These assessments are not only designed to evaluate academic knowledge but also to measure competency and skills development among learners, as Kenya continues to fully implement the CBC system.
Term 3 Duration and Importance
According to the released calendar, Term 3 officially commenced on Monday, August 25, 2025, and will run until Friday, October 24, 2025. This amounts to nine weeks of active learning, making it the shortest academic term of the year.
Despite its brief duration, Term 3 is widely regarded as the most important segment of the academic year. It is during this time that learners, particularly candidates in transition grades, sit for their national assessments and final examinations.
The Ministry has underscored the need for schools to strictly observe the dates provided to ensure uniformity and fairness in the administration of examinations across the country.
This uniformity is especially critical in national assessments, which determine learners’ placement in higher levels of education and guide long-term policy implementation under the CBC.
The third term will also feature two public holidays that fall within the school calendar. Mazingira Day, celebrated on Friday, October 10, and Mashujaa Day, which falls on Monday, October 20, will both give learners and teachers short breaks from their rigorous academic schedules.
With both holidays landing on weekdays, students will enjoy two extended weekends during the term. While these breaks offer much-needed rest, the Ministry has urged schools to plan accordingly so that learning momentum is not disrupted, particularly with examinations just around the corner.
The calendar also provides detailed timelines for various national examinations, which will be administered by the Kenya National Examinations Council (KNEC).
- Kenya Primary School Education Assessment (KPSEA)
Scheduled for October 27 to October 30, this four-day assessment targets Grade 6 learners. The KPSEA plays a central role in evaluating learners’ preparedness to transition to junior secondary school under the CBC framework.
- Kenya Intermediate Level Education Assessment (KILEA)
Running from October 27 to October 31, this assessment is specifically designed for learners with special needs at the intermediate level. It ensures inclusivity within the education system, offering tailored evaluations that accommodate diverse learning needs.
- Kenya Junior School Education Assessment (KJSEA) & Kenya Pre-Vocational Level Education Assessment (KPLEA)
These two assessments will be conducted simultaneously over nine days, beginning on October 27 and ending on November 6. They are considered crucial milestones in the CBC journey, as they provide insights into learners’ abilities, interests, and potential career pathways.
- Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE):
For secondary schools, the KCSE examinations will be the highlight of Term 3. The national exam for Form Four candidates will run from November 3 to November 21, covering a period of 18 days. This examination remains the gateway to higher education and professional opportunities, and as such, it attracts national attention each year.
In keeping with the Ministry’s tradition, Term 3 will remain a restricted school period. The Ministry has reiterated that all non-essential activities, including unnecessary visits to schools, will be prohibited until the end of the examinations.
This restriction, the Ministry notes, is meant to minimize distractions, safeguard examination integrity, and create a conducive environment for candidates preparing for their final assessments.
After the completion of Term 3, learners across all levels of basic education will proceed for their long December holiday. According to the calendar, the holiday will begin on October 27, 2025, and extend until January 2, 2026. This 10-week break will give students, parents, and teachers ample time to rest, recharge, and prepare for the 2026 academic year.
The long holiday is particularly significant as it marks the conclusion of a full cycle of the CBC-aligned school year. It will also provide an opportunity for the Ministry to review outcomes from the national assessments and to refine policies for the coming academic cycle.
The Ministry of Education has called upon all stakeholders, including teachers, parents, and school administrators, to play their part in ensuring a smooth and productive Term 3.
With national assessments scheduled almost immediately after the end of the learning period, the Ministry emphasized the importance of discipline, preparedness, and adherence to the outlined dates.
In its statement, the Office of the Principal Secretary of Basic Education noted that education is a shared responsibility, and successful completion of the term requires collective commitment.
The Ministry has further reassured learners and parents that all logistical and administrative measures are in place to guarantee the fair and transparent administration of national examinations.
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