Parents, teachers and students across Kenya – mark your calendars! The Ministry of Education has officially unveiled the 2026 school calendar, with pre-primary, primary, junior, senior secondary schools reopening today, January 5, 2026.
In a circular signed by Basic Education Principal Secretary Julius K. Bitok, the ministry laid out a detailed schedule for the entire year, covering term dates, holidays and national examinations for basic education institutions.
Key 2026 Term Dates at a Glance
Term 1: January 5 – April 2, 2026 (13 weeks)
Half-term break: February 25 – March 1, 2026 (5 days)
April holiday: April 7 – 24, 2026 (3 weeks)
Term 2: April 27 – July 31, 2026 (14 weeks)
Half-term break: June 24 – 28, 2026
August holiday: 3 weeks (ending August 21, 2026)
Term 3: August 24 – October 23, 2026 (9 weeks – the shortest term of the year)
National Examination Dates 2026
The calendar also confirms schedules for major assessments:
KPSEA and KILEA: October 26 – 30, 2026 (5 days)
KJSEA and KPLEA: October 26 – November 1, 2026 (7 days)
KCSE: November 2 – 20, 2026 (3 weeks)
After exams, students will enjoy a well-deserved 10-week December holiday running from October 26, 2026, to January 1, 2027.
Important Note for Secondary Schools
The ministry has reiterated its standing ban on activities and visits to secondary schools during Term 3, maintaining restrictions issued in previous circulars to ensure focus ahead of national exams.
Diploma Teachers Training Colleges will follow a nearly identical schedule, though their Term 3 extends to November 6, 2026, with holidays beginning November 9.
The circular has been distributed to all regional, county and sub-county directors of education, as well as key stakeholders including Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Ogamba and the Teachers Service Commission.
Parents are urged to prepare accordingly as the new academic year kicks off today. Stay updated for any further announcements from the Ministry of Education.
