On , Julius Bitok, Basic Education Principal Secretary of the Ministry of Education, unveiled Kenya’s 2026 academic calendar for every pre‑primary, primary, junior, senior and secondary school across the country. The circular, also copied to Julius Ogamba, Education Cabinet Secretary, was dispatched to regional, county and sub‑county education directors from the ministry’s headquarters in Nairobi.
Why the Calendar Matters Now
After years of pandemic‑related disruptions, the government is keen to lock in a predictable timetable that lets parents, teachers and learners plan ahead. Bitok stressed that the schedule aligns with the broader reforms under the Basic Education Act, aiming to restore “normal learning timelines” and avoid the ad‑hoc date‑shuffling that plagued previous years.
Term‑by‑Term Breakdown
Below is the consensus from the main media outlets—TUKO.co.ke and The Star—with a few variations noted by Capital FM.
- Term I: Starts Monday, 5 January 2026 and runs for 13 weeks, concluding Thursday, 2 April 2026 (some reports say Friday, 3 April). Half‑term break: Wednesday, 25 February to Sunday, 1 March.
- April Holiday: Three weeks from Monday, 6 April to Thursday, 24 April.
- Term II: Begins Monday, 27 April 2026 (Capital FM mentions Saturday, 25 April). It spans 14 weeks, ending Thursday, 31 July 2026 (other sources cite Friday, 7 August). Mid‑term break: either 24‑28 June (TUKO/The Star) or 15‑28 June (Capital FM).
- August Holiday: Three weeks, ending Thursday, 21 August 2026 (Capital FM extends to Friday, 28 August).
- Term III: Starts Monday, 24 August 2026 and runs nine weeks, closing Friday, 23 October 2026 (Capital FM says Saturday, 14 November). Secondary‑school visits remain banned throughout this term.
Diploma Teacher Training Colleges follow a slightly offset schedule, kicking off their first term on Tuesday, 6 January and aligning with the second and third terms on 27 April and 24 August respectively.
Examination Calendar
The Kenya National Examination Council set the following dates:
- KCPE and KPSEA: Monday, 16 November – Thursday, 19 November 2026.
- KCSE: Monday, 23 November – Wednesday, 17 December 2026.
All exams are slated to finish before the end of Term III, ensuring results can be processed in time for the next academic cycle.
Reactions from Stakeholders
Parents welcomed the clarity. "Knowing exactly when holidays start lets us arrange childcare and transport," said Mary Wanjiku, a mother of three in Kisumu. Teachers expressed mixed feelings; while the fixed dates help lesson planning, some worry that the compressed Term II could pressure learners.
Education analysts see the calendar as a step toward re‑normalisation. Dr. Samuel Ochieng, a senior lecturer at the University of Nairobi’s School of Education, noted, “The alignment with international term structures could improve Kenya’s competitiveness in regional education rankings.”
Meanwhile, the teachers’ union, Kenya National Union of Teachers, urged the Ministry to honour the ban on secondary‑school visits, calling it a “necessary safety measure” amid lingering COVID‑19 concerns.
Potential Challenges
Discrepancies between media reports—especially around the exact end dates of Terms II and III—could cause confusion at the school level. Bitok instructed all education directors to circulate the official circular and to resolve any contradictory information promptly.
Another hurdle is the looming overlap between the end‑term examinations and the long holiday season. The Ministry has earmarked a short “review period” from Thursday, 17 November to Monday, 1 December for students to receive provisional results before the final KCSE window closes on 17 December.
What’s Next?
In the coming weeks, the Ministry will conduct workshops for county education officers to ensure uniform implementation. A monitoring team from the Teachers Service Commission will audit school calendars in July to verify adherence.
Looking ahead, the government plans to release a post‑pandemic “learning recovery” plan in early 2026, targeting remedial programs for students who missed significant instructional time during the COVID‑19 lockdowns.
Key Takeaways
- Academic year kicks off 5 January 2026; three terms spread across the year.
- Half‑term, April, June and August holidays are clearly defined.
- KCPE/KPSEA (16‑19 Nov) and KCSE (23 Nov‑17 Dec) dates fixed.
- Secondary‑school visits remain prohibited in Term III.
- Ministry stresses strict compliance to restore normalcy after COVID‑19.
Frequently Asked Questions
How will the new calendar affect parents planning holidays?<\/h3>
With exact start and end dates published, parents can now book transport, childcare and family trips well in advance, reducing last‑minute scrambling that often occurred in previous years.<\/p>
With exact start and end dates published, parents can now book transport, childcare and family trips well in advance, reducing last‑minute scrambling that often occurred in previous years.<\/p>
What happens if a school’s term dates differ from the Ministry’s schedule?<\/h3>
The Ministry has instructed all regional, county and sub‑county education directors to enforce the official calendar. Schools that deviate may face penalties or be required to adjust their timetables before the next term begins.<\/p>
The Ministry has instructed all regional, county and sub‑county education directors to enforce the official calendar. Schools that deviate may face penalties or be required to adjust their timetables before the next term begins.<\/p>
Why are secondary‑school visits banned during Term III?<\/h3>
The ban, reiterated by Principal Secretary Bitok, aims to minimise COVID‑19 transmission risks as students prepare for the crucial KCSE examinations. It also reduces disruptions that can affect exam preparation.<\/p>
The ban, reiterated by Principal Secretary Bitok, aims to minimise COVID‑19 transmission risks as students prepare for the crucial KCSE examinations. It also reduces disruptions that can affect exam preparation.<\/p>
When will the KCSE results be released under the new timetable?<\/h3>
The Ministry expects provisional KCSE results to be available by early January 2027, following the short review period after the exams end on 17 December. Final results should be published no later than mid‑January.<\/p>
The Ministry expects provisional KCSE results to be available by early January 2027, following the short review period after the exams end on 17 December. Final results should be published no later than mid‑January.<\/p>
Are there special provisions for teacher‑training colleges?<\/h3>
Yes. Diploma Teacher Training Colleges start their first term on 6 January 2026, with the second and third terms mirroring the secondary‑school calendar on 27 April and 24 August. This staggered start helps align future teachers with the new academic rhythm.<\/p>
Yes. Diploma Teacher Training Colleges start their first term on 6 January 2026, with the second and third terms mirroring the secondary‑school calendar on 27 April and 24 August. This staggered start helps align future teachers with the new academic rhythm.<\/p>
Vusumuzi Moyo
I am a journalist specializing in daily news coverage with a keen focus on developments across Africa. My work involves analyzing political, economic, and cultural trends to bring insightful stories to my readers. I strive to present news in a concise and accessible manner, aiming to inform and educate through my articles.
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Jensen Santillan
October 15, 2025 AT 01:58When dissecting the Ministry's newly unveiled 2026 academic calendar, one cannot help but notice the veneer of precision that masks an undercurrent of bureaucratic rigidity; the calendar, while ostensibly a triumph of logistical coordination, also serves as a tacit endorsement of a top‑down educational paradigm that leaves little room for localized adaptability. The insistence on aligning term dates with international standards is commendable in theory, yet it betrays a certain Eurocentric bias that fails to appreciate Kenya's unique socio‑economic rhythms. Moreover, the variance in reported end‑dates across media outlets suggests an alarming lack of internal coherence, a flaw that could cascade into administrative chaos at the county level. In sum, the calendar represents both progress and a cautionary tale about the perils of overcentralization.