KCSE to start November 2 as Education Ministry unveils 2026 academic calendar
The first term will begin on January 5, 2026, and run for 13 weeks, ending on April 2, 2026. Learners will enjoy a half-term break from February 25 to March 1 before completing the term.
The Ministry of Education has released the official 2026 academic calendar for schools and diploma teacher training colleges across Kenya, detailing key term dates, holidays, and examination schedules.
The new schedule, signed by Basic Education Principal Secretary Julius Bitok, applies to all levels of learning — from pre-primary, primary, junior and senior secondary schools to diploma teacher training colleges.
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According to a circular dated October 9, 2025, the first term will begin on January 5, 2026, and run for 13 weeks, ending on April 2, 2026. Learners will enjoy a half-term break from February 25 to March 1 before completing the term.
A three-week April holiday will follow, with classes resuming on April 27 for the second term.
The second term will last 14 weeks, ending on July 31, 2026, and include a mid-term break from June 24 to June 28. After a three-week August holiday, the third term will begin on August 24 and conclude on October 23.
CBC exams
Examinations under the Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC) will begin immediately afterwards.
The Kenya Primary School Education Assessment (KPSEA), Kenya Intermediate Level Education Assessment (KILEA), and Kenya Junior School Education Assessment (KJSEA) will run from October 26 to 29, while the Kenya Pre-Vocational Level Education Assessment (KPLEA) will start on November 2.
Similarly, the Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) will commence on November 2 and end on November 20, followed by the December holiday running until January 1, 2027.
“Activities and visits to secondary schools in the third term of 2026 remain banned as per the earlier circulars,” the circular reads.
For diploma teacher training colleges, the first term will run from January 6 to April 2, 2026. The second term will begin on April 27 and end on July 31, while the third term will run from August 24 to November 6, followed by a December break from November 9 to January 1, 2027.
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