The Ministry of Education has released the official 2026 academic calendar for all basic education institutions across Kenya. The new schedule, communicated through a circular dated October 9, 2025, by Principal Secretary for Basic Education Dr. Julius Bitok, details the opening and closing dates for each school term, holidays, and examination periods.
The calendar applies to pre-primary, primary, junior, senior, and secondary schools, as well as Diploma Teachers Training Colleges (DTTCs). According to the ministry, the schedule is designed to maintain stability in the education system while aligning all institutions to a standardized academic rhythm.
Basic Education Term Dates for 2026
The 2026 school year will officially begin on January 5, 2026, and conclude on October 23, 2026, before the long December holiday. Below is a summary of the term dates as announced by the ministry:
| Term | Opening Date | Closing Date | Duration (Weeks) | Half-Term Break | Holiday Period |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Term I | January 5, 2026 | April 2, 2026 | 13 | February 25 – March 1, 2026 | April 7 – April 24, 2026 (3 weeks) |
| Term II | April 27, 2026 | July 31, 2026 | 14 | June 24 – June 28, 2026 | August 3 – August 21, 2026 (3 weeks) |
| Term III | August 24, 2026 | October 23, 2026 | 9 | N/A | October 26, 2026 – January 1, 2027 (10 weeks) |
National Examinations and Assessments
The third term will mainly focus on national assessments and examinations. The Ministry of Education outlined the following official examination dates:
| Examination/Assessment | Dates | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Kenya Primary School Education Assessment (KPSEA) | October 26 – October 29, 2026 | 4 days |
| Kenya Intermediate Level Education Assessment (KILEA) | October 26 – October 30, 2026 | 5 days |
| Kenya Junior School Education Assessment (KJSEA) & Kenya Pre-Vocational Level Education Assessment (KPLEA) | October 26 – November 5, 2026 | 7 days |
| Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) | November 2 – November 20, 2026 | 3 weeks |
The Ministry emphasized that all activities and external visits to secondary schools during Term III will remain banned, in accordance with earlier circulars meant to protect the integrity of examinations.
Diploma Teachers Training Colleges (DTTC) Calendar 2026
The DTTCs will follow a slightly adjusted calendar, maintaining consistency with basic education institutions but with longer final terms.
| Term | Opening Date | Closing Date | Duration (Weeks) | Holiday Period |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Term I | January 6, 2026 | April 2, 2026 | 13 | April 7 – April 24, 2026 |
| Term II | April 27, 2026 | July 31, 2026 | 14 | August 3 – August 21, 2026 |
| Term III | August 24, 2026 | November 6, 2026 | 11 | November 9, 2026 – January 1, 2027 |
Government Directives and Observations
In his directive, PS Julius Bitok instructed all Regional, County, and Sub-County Directors of Education to ensure the circular is distributed to every school under their jurisdiction. He reaffirmed the ministry’s commitment to maintaining a smooth and predictable learning calendar for the benefit of learners, parents, and teachers alike.
The release of the 2026 calendar marks a significant step toward educational stability after years of adjustments. With the return to regular term lengths and predictable breaks, stakeholders can now plan academic activities, holidays, and assessments more effectively.
