The Ministry of Education has officially announced the schedule for the third term of the 2026 academic year, confirming key dates for all levels from pre-primary to secondary schools.
Term and Examination Timeline
- The third term will commence on August 24 and end on October 23, allowing students nine weeks of classroom learning.
- Immediately after term ends, nationwide assessments will begin:
- Kenya Primary School Education Assessment (KPSEA): October 26 - 29
- Kenya Intermediate Level Education Assessment (KILEA): October 26 - 30
- Kenya Junior School Education Assessment (KJSEA) and Kenya Pre-Vocational Level Education Assessment (KPLEA): October 26 - November 5
- The Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) exams are scheduled from November 2 to November 20.
Holiday and Restrictions
- Following the exams, students will observe the December holiday from October 26 through January 1, 2027.
- The ministry reiterated the ban on all activities and visits to secondary schools throughout the third term and examination period, a policy originally introduced to curb exam malpractice by limiting candidate interactions.
- This restriction ensures that students remain on campus until the term concludes.
The Ministry’s directive was circulated to regional and county education directors, emphasizing adherence to the official academic calendar across all basic education institutions.
Prior to the term, learners enjoyed a three-week mid-year break from August 3 to August 21, preparing them for the intensive final term and national exams.
