The Lower Eastern Times Opening The Third Eye
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The Ministry of Education has published the official academic calendar and school reopening dates for the 2026 academic year.
The detailed timetable outlines term schedules for Basic Education Institutions as well as Diploma Teachers Training Colleges (DTTCs).
The circular was signed by Basic Education Principal Secretary Julius Bitok and copied to Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Ogamba, the Teachers Service Commission, the Kenya National Examination Council, and the Council of Governors.
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The directive has been circulated to regional, county, and sub-county directors of education across the country.
According to the calendar, all Basic Education Institutions — including pre-primary, primary, junior, senior, and secondary schools — will reopen on January 5, 2026.
Term One will span 13 weeks and end on April 2, 2026, with a mid-term break scheduled from February 25 to March 1. This will be followed by a three-week April holiday running from April 7 to April 24.
Term Two will last 14 weeks, beginning on April 27 and closing on July 31, 2026. A half-term break will be observed between June 24 and June 28, after which learners will proceed for the August holiday, lasting three weeks and ending on August 21.
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Term Three will be the shortest, running for nine weeks from August 24 to October 23, 2026.
The ministry also outlined the timetable for national examinations. The Kenya Primary School Education Assessment (KPSEA) and Kenya Intermediate Level Education Assessment (KILEA) will run for five days starting October 26, 2026. The Kenya Junior School Education Assessment (KJSEA) and Kenya Pre-Vocational Level Education Assessment (KPLEA) will also commence on the same date and last seven days.
The Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) examinations will be conducted over three weeks, from November 2 to November 20, 2026.
After the exams, learners will break for the long end-of-year holiday, which will run for 10 weeks from October 26, 2026, to January 1, 2027.
Diploma Teachers Training Colleges will largely follow the same calendar, although their third term will be longer, running for 11 weeks and ending on November 6, 2026. Their December holiday will begin on November 9.
The circular also reiterates the continued ban on activities and visits to secondary schools during the third term of 2026, as outlined in previous directives.
