The Ministry of Education released the 2026 academic calendar for all basic education institutions, including pre-primary, primary, junior and senior secondary schools, and Teacher Training Colleges (TTCs).
The schedule was issued through a circular by the State Department of Basic Education, signed by Principal Secretary Julius Bitok, copied to Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Ogambo, and served to all regional, county, and sub-county directors of education on October 13, 2025.
Basic Education Term Dates
| Term | Opening Date | Closing Date | Duration | Midterm Break | Holiday |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Term I | Jan 5, 2026 | Apr 2, 2026 | 13 weeks | Feb 25 – Mar 1, 2026 | Apr 7 – Apr 24, 2026 (3 weeks) |
| Term II | Apr 27, 2026 | Jul 31, 2026 | 14 weeks | Jun 24 – Jun 28, 2026 | Aug 3 – Aug 21, 2026 (3 weeks) |
| Term III | Aug 24, 2026 | Oct 23, 2026 | 9 weeks | — | Dec Holiday: Oct 26, 2026 – Jan 1, 2027 (10 weeks) |
National Examination Schedule
| Exam | Dates | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| KPSEA (Kenya Primary School Education Assessment) | Oct 26 – Oct 29, 2026 | 4 days |
| KILEA (Kenya Intermediate Level Education Assessment) | Oct 26 – Oct 30, 2026 | 5 days |
| KJSEA (Kenya Junior School Education Assessment) | Oct 26 – Nov 1, 2026 | 7 days |
| KPLEA (Kenya Pre-Vocational Level Education Assessment) | Oct 26 – Nov 1, 2026 | 7 days |
| KCSE (Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education) | Nov 2 – Nov 20, 2026 | 3 weeks |
Diploma Teacher Training Colleges (TTCs)
| Term | Opening Date | Closing Date | Duration | Holiday |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Term I | Jan 6, 2026 | Apr 2, 2026 | 13 weeks | Apr 3 – Apr 26, 2026 |
| Term II | Apr 27, 2026 | Jul 31, 2026 | 14 weeks | Aug 3 – Aug 21, 2026 |
| Term III | Aug 24, 2026 | Nov 6, 2026 | 11 weeks | Nov 9, 2026 – Jan 1, 2027 |
Key Highlights
- Term III remains the shortest, designed to accommodate national examinations.
- The Ministry has maintained the ban on extracurricular activities and visits to secondary schools during Term III.
- Learners benefit from structured breaks: two midterms, three major holidays, and a long December holiday.
- The competency-based curriculum (CBC) continues to guide assessments across multiple levels.
