Kenya School Calendar 2026 – Opening and Closing Dates And Holidays
The Ministry of Education has released the official 2026 academic calendar for all basic education institutions and Diploma Teachers Training Colleges (DTTCs). The calendar sets term dates, holidays, and national assessment periods for the year.
The Kenya 2026 school calendar, as typically outlined by the Ministry of Education for primary and secondary schools, starts with Term 1 on January 5, 2026, and concludes with Term 3 closing on October 23, 2026. The academic year consists of three terms with significant breaks in April, August, and from late October to early January.
Kenya School Term Dates (Basic Education) – 2026
Term 1: January 5, 2026 – April 2, 2026 (13 weeks)
Half-Term: February 25 – March 1, 2026
Holiday: April 3 – April 26, 2026 (3 weeks)
Term 2: April 27, 2026 – July 31, 2026 (14 weeks)
Half-Term: June 24 – June 28, 2026
Holiday: August 3 – August 21, 2026 (3 weeks)
Term 3: August 24, 2026 – October 23, 2026 (9 weeks)
Note: No mid-term break is usually indicated for Term 3
Kenya 2026 National Exam Schedule (Term 3)
KPSEA (Grade 6): October 26 – October 29, 2026
KILEA (Intermediate Level): October 26 – October 30, 2026
KJSEA (Junior School): October 26 – November 5, 2026
KCSE (Form 4): November 2 – November 20, 2026
2026 Term Dates for Basic Education Institutions
The calendar covers all basic education levels. Here are the key dates:
| Term | Opening Date | Closing Date | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| Term One | January 5, 2026 | April 2, 2026 | 13 weeks |
| Term Two | April 27, 2026 | July 31, 2026 | 14 weeks |
| Term Three | August 24, 2026 | October 29, 2026 | 9 weeks |
Holiday Periods and Breaks
Learners will have several breaks throughout the year:
| Break Type | Start Date | End Date | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| Half-Term Break (Term One) | February 25, 2026 | March 1, 2026 | 5 days |
| April Holiday | April 7, 2026 | April 24, 2026 | 3 weeks |
| Mid-Term Break (Term Two) | June 24, 2026 | June 28, 2026 | 5 days |
| August Holiday | August 3, 2026 | August 21, 2026 | 3 weeks |
| December Holiday | October 26, 2026 | January 1, 2027 | 10 weeks |
National Assessment Schedule for 2026
Several national assessments are scheduled during Term Three:
| Assessment | Start Date | End Date | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kenya Primary School Education Assessment (KPSEA) | October 26, 2026 | October 29, 2026 | 4 days |
| Kenya Intermediate Level Education Assessment (KILEA) | October 26, 2026 | October 30, 2026 | 5 days |
| Kenya Junior School Education Assessment (KJSEA) | October 26, 2026 | November 5, 2026 | 11 days |
| Kenya Pre-Vocational Level Education Assessment (KPLEA) | October 26, 2026 | November 5, 2026 | 11 days |
| Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) | November 2, 2026 | November 20, 2026 | 19 days |
Diploma Teachers Training Colleges Calendar
DTTCs follow a slightly different schedule:
| Term | Opening Date | Closing Date | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| Term One | January 6, 2026 | April 2, 2026 | 13 weeks |
| Term Two | April 27, 2026 | July 31, 2026 | 14 weeks |
| Term Three | August 24, 2026 | November 6, 2026 | 11 weeks |
DTTCs will observe similar holiday breaks, with Term Three ending on November 6, 2026, followed by an eight-week December holiday.
Note
The official 2026 calendar release can sometimes be amended by the Ministry of Education. Always confirm with the latest official government updates.
