School Calendar 2026 Kenya (Ministry of Education) – Official Term Dates & Holidays

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The School Calendar 2026 Kenya, released by the Ministry of Education, provides official term dates, half-term breaks, national assessments, and holidays for pre-primary, primary, junior, senior, and secondary schools across the country.

This calendar is essential for parents, teachers, and school administrators planning for the 2026 academic year.

Below is the confirmed Ministry of Education 2026 school calendar, including opening dates, closing dates, duration, and examination periods.

PRE-PRIMARY, PRIMARY, JUNIOR, SENIOR AND SECONDARY SCHOOLS TERM DATES 2026 (KENYA)

Academic Period Opening Date Closing Date Duration
Term I 6th January, 2026 2nd April, 2026 13 Weeks
Half Term (Term I) 25th February, 2026 1st March, 2026 5 Days
April Holiday 7th April, 2026 24th April, 2026 3 Weeks
Term II 27th April, 2026 31st July, 2026 14 Weeks
Half Term (Term II) 24th June, 2026 28th June, 2026 5 Days
August Holiday 3rd August, 2026 21st August, 2026 3 Weeks
Term III 24th August, 2026 23rd October, 2026 9 Weeks
KPSEA 26th October, 2026 29th October, 2026 4 Days
KILEA 26th October, 2026 30th October, 2026 5 Days
KJSEA & KPLEA 26th October, 2026 5th November, 2026 7 Days
KCSE 2nd November, 2026 20th November, 2026 3 Weeks
December Holiday 26th October, 2026 1st January, 2027 10 Weeks

Assessment Abbreviations Explained

  • KPSEA — Kenya Primary Education Assessment
  • KILEA — Kenya Intermediate Level Education Assessment
  • KJSEA — Kenya Junior School Education Assessment
  • KPLEA — Kenya Pre-Vocational Level Education Assessment

DIPLOMA TEACHERS TRAINING COLLEGES ACADEMIC CALENDAR, 2026

OPENING CLOSING DURATION
Term I 6th January, 2026 2nd April, 2026 13 Weeks
April Holiday 7th April, 2026 24th April, 2026 3 Weeks
Term II 27th April, 2026 31st July, 2026 14 Weeks
August Holiday 3rd August, 2026 21st August, 2026 3 Weeks
Term III 24th August, 2026 6th November, 2026 11 Weeks
December Holiday 9th November, 2026 1st January, 2027 8 Weeks

1. This circular should be distributed to all the institutions of Basic Education under your jurisdiction.
2. Activities and visits to Secondary Schools in third term 2026 remain banned as per the earlier circulars.

Ministry of Education School Calendar 2026 – Kenya

The Ministry of education 2026 school calendar Kenya applies to:

  • Pre-Primary Schools
  • Primary Schools
  • Junior Schools
  • Senior Schools
  • Secondary Schools

It ensures a standardized academic year for all learners under the Kenyan education system.

PRE-PRIMARY, PRIMARY, JUNIOR, SENIOR AND SECONDARY SCHOOLS TERM DATES 2026

Term I – 2026

  • Opening: 6th January 2026
  • Closing: 2nd April 2026
  • Duration: 13 Weeks

Term I Half-Term Break

  • 25th February – 1st March 2026
  • Duration: 5 Days

April Holiday

  • 7th April – 24th April 2026
  • Duration: 3 Weeks

2026 school calendar Kenya January

Term II – 2026

  • Opening: 27th April 2026
  • Closing: 31st July 2026
  • Duration: 14 Weeks

Term II Half-Term Break

  • 24th June – 28th June 2026
  • Duration: 5 Days

August Holiday

  • 3rd August – 21st August 2026
  • Duration: 3 Weeks

Term III – 2026

  • Opening: 24th August 2026
  • Closing: 23rd October 2026
  • Duration: 9 Weeks

National Assessments & Examinations – 2026

The School calendar 2026 Kenya also outlines national assessment periods administered by the Ministry of Education.

Assessment Dates

  • KPSEA: 26th October – 29th October 2026 (4 Days)
  • KILEA: 26th October – 30th October 2026 (5 Days)
  • KJSEA & KPLEA: 26th October – 5th November 2026 (7 Days)
  • KCSE: 2nd November – 20th November 2026 (3 Weeks)

December Holiday

  • 26th October 2026 – 1st January 2027
  • Duration: 10 Weeks

Meaning of Assessment Abbreviations

  • KPSEA — Kenya Primary Education Assessment
  • KILEA — Kenya Intermediate Level Education Assessment
  • KJSEA — Kenya Junior School Education Assessment
  • KPLEA — Kenya Pre-Vocational Level Education Assessment

These assessments are conducted according to the Ministry of education 2026 school calendar with holidays.

Primary School Calendar 2026 Kenya

The Primary School calendar 2026 Kenya follows the same structure outlined above and includes:

  • Term learning periods
  • Half-term breaks
  • National assessments
  • Long holidays

Parents searching for School term dates 2026 Kenya pdf should ensure the document matches the dates listed above.

School Calendar 2026 Grade 10 & Senior School

Learners in Grade 10 and Senior School will follow the same Ministry of education 2026 school calendar Kenya, with assessment schedules aligned to their learning pathways.

Ministry of Education School Calendar 2026 PDF Download

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The official School Calendar 2026 Kenya PDF is issued free of charge by the Ministry of Education through official channels and approved education platforms.

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Conclusion

The School Calendar 2026 Kenya is a vital reference for academic planning, examinations, and holidays. By following the Ministry of Education 2026 school calendar, parents and schools can plan effectively and avoid confusion during the academic year.