The Ministry of Education has officially released the full academic calendar for the year 2026, outlining the detailed schedule of term dates, holidays, and national examination periods for all basic education institutions across the country.
The calendar covers pre-primary, primary, junior, senior, and secondary schools, as well as Diploma Teachers Training Colleges (DTTCs), providing a clear roadmap for the upcoming academic year.
In a circular addressed to all Regional, County, and Sub-County Directors of Education, Principal Secretary for Basic Education, Dr. Julius Bitok, emphasized the importance of maintaining consistency and order in the academic calendar.
The directive, dated October 9, 2025, provides specific term opening and closing dates to help schools plan effectively and ensure uninterrupted learning across all levels.
According to the Ministry, the 2026 academic year will kick off with Term One, which will span 13 weeks. Schools will open on January 5, 2026, and close on April 2, 2026.
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During this term, learners will enjoy a five-day mid-term break running from February 25 to March 1, 2026. Afterward, students will proceed on a three-week April holiday, beginning on April 7 and ending on April 24, 2026.
Term Two will be the longest session of the year, lasting 14 weeks. Classes will resume on April 27, 2026, and close on July 31, 2026. A five-day half-term break is scheduled from June 24 to June 28, 2026, giving both learners and teachers a short rest before completing the term. The August holiday will then follow, running from August 3 to August 21, 2026.
The third and final term will last nine weeks, beginning on August 24, 2026, and ending on October 23, 2026. This term will primarily be dedicated to national assessments and examinations, marking the culmination of the academic year.
The Ministry further detailed the official timetable for the 2026 national examinations:
- The Kenya Primary School Education Assessment (KPSEA) will take place over four days, from October 26, 2026, to October 29, 2026.
- The Kenya Intermediate Level Education Assessment (KILEA) will take place over five days, from October 26, 2026, to October 30, 2026.
- The Kenya Junior School Education Assessment (KJSEA) and Kenya Pre-Vocational Level Education Assessment (KPLEA) will be held over seven days, running from October 26, 2026, to November 5, 2026.
- The Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) examinations are scheduled to run for three weeks, from November 2, 2026, to November 20, 2026.
Dr. Bitok noted that the release of the 2026 calendar aims to promote predictability and stability in the education sector following years of disruptions caused by the pandemic and curriculum transitions. Schools are expected to strictly adhere to the dates to ensure alignment with national assessment schedules.
The Ministry also encouraged school heads, parents, and education stakeholders to use the new calendar for early preparation, especially in planning academic programs, co-curricular activities, and examination readiness.
The government reaffirmed its commitment to maintaining a well-structured and predictable school calendar that supports quality teaching, learner welfare, and smooth curriculum implementation.
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