When Are Schools Opening in Kenya? 2026 School Calendar & Term Dates
If you are a parent, student, or teacher asking “when are schools opening in Kenya?”, you are in the right place. The Ministry of Education has officially released the 2026 academic calendar for all basic education institutions — covering pre-primary, primary, junior secondary, senior secondary, and diploma teacher training colleges.
Whether you are planning for back-to-school shopping, family travel, or simply tracking your child’s term dates, this complete guide has everything you need.
Looking for a school in Kenya? Use the Schools in Kenya Directory to find and compare top primary, secondary, CBC, and international schools by location, curriculum, fees, and facilities.
📅 Kenya School Opening Dates 2026 — Quick Summary
Term
Opening Date
Closing Date
Duration
Term 1
Monday, 5 January 2026
Thursday, 2 April 2026
13 weeks
Term 2
Monday, 27 April 2026
Friday, 31 July 2026
14 weeks
Term 3
Monday, 24 August 2026
Friday, 23 October 2026
9 weeks
When Do Schools Open for Term 1 in Kenya 2026?
All pre-primary, primary, junior secondary, senior secondary, and secondary schools in Kenya opened on Monday, 5 January 2026, according to the official circular signed by Basic Education Principal Secretary Julius Bitok.
Term 1 runs for 13 weeks and closes on Thursday, 2 April 2026.
Within Term 1, learners will enjoy a five-day half-term break from Wednesday, 25 February to Sunday, 1 March 2026, before resuming for the second half of the term.
April Holiday 2026
After Term 1, schools proceed on a three-week April holiday running from 7 April to 24 April 2026.
When Do Schools Open for Term 2 in Kenya 2026?
Schools reopen for Term 2 on Monday, 27 April 2026. This is the longest term of the year, running for 14 weeks and closing on Friday, 31 July 2026.
A five-day half-term break is scheduled within Term 2, running from Wednesday, 24 June to Sunday, 28 June 2026.
August Holiday 2026
Following Term 2, schools break for the August holiday from Monday, 3 August to Friday, 21 August 2026 — a three-week break.
When Do Schools Open for Term 3 in Kenya 2026?
Schools reopen for the third and final term on Monday, 24 August 2026. Term 3 runs for 9 weeks, closing on Friday, 23 October 2026.
This is the shortest term of the year, but also the most important — it is when national examinations and assessments take place. The Ministry of Education has maintained a ban on all non-essential activities and visits to secondary schools during Term 3 to protect the integrity of national exams.
📝 National Examinations & Assessments 2026
The 2026 academic calendar includes several critical national assessments under the Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC) framework.
KPSEA 2026 (Kenya Primary School Education Assessment)
Dates: Monday, 26 October – Thursday, 29 October 2026 (4 days)
Dates: Monday, 26 October – Friday, 30 October 2026 (5 days)
For: Grade 8 learners
KJSEA & KPLEA 2026
Dates: Monday, 26 October – Thursday, 5 November 2026 (7 days)
KJSEA: Grade 9 learners (Kenya Junior School Education Assessment)
KPLEA: Learners with special needs on the Stage-Based Pathway
KCSE 2026 (Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education)
Dates: Monday, 2 November – Friday, 20 November 2026 (3 weeks)
For: Form 4 / Secondary school candidates
🎓 What Is New in Kenya Schools in 2026?
2026 is a landmark year for Kenya’s education system. The pioneer cohort of the Competency-Based Education (CBE) framework is transitioning to Grade 10. These learners, who sat the inaugural KJSEA in 2025, are required to report to their senior secondary schools by 12 January 2026.
This represents a historic milestone for Kenya’s education system, as CBC moves into full implementation at senior secondary level for the first time.
🗓️ December Holiday 2026
The long December holiday begins on Monday, 26 October 2026 — coinciding with the start of national assessments — and runs for 10 weeks, ending on Sunday, 1 January 2027.
This extended break gives families ample time for year-end preparations before schools reopen for the 2027 academic year.
Full 2026 Kenya School Calendar — All Key Dates at a Glance
Event
Date
Term 1 Opens
5 January 2026
Term 1 Half-Term
25 February – 1 March 2026
Term 1 Closes
2 April 2026
April Holiday
7 April – 24 April 2026
Term 2 Opens
27 April 2026
Term 2 Half-Term
24 June – 28 June 2026
Term 2 Closes
31 July 2026
August Holiday
3 August – 21 August 2026
Term 3 Opens
24 August 2026
Term 3 Closes
23 October 2026
KPSEA
26 – 29 October 2026
KILEA
26 – 30 October 2026
KJSEA & KPLEA
26 October – 5 November 2026
KCSE
2 – 20 November 2026
December Holiday Begins
26 October 2026
December Holiday Ends
1 January 2027
Kenya School Calendar for Diploma Teacher Training Colleges (DTTCs) 2026
Diploma Teacher Training Colleges follow a slightly different schedule:
Term
Opening Date
Closing Date
Term 1
6 January 2026
2 April 2026
Term 2
27 April 2026
31 July 2026
Term 3
24 August 2026
6 November 2026
DTTC December Holiday
9 November 2026 – 1 January 2027
Tips for Parents: Back-to-School Preparation in Kenya
With schools opening on 5 January 2026, here are some practical steps for parents to prepare:
Buy uniforms and books early — avoid last-minute price hikes and shortages in January.
Confirm school fees deadlines — most schools require full or partial payment before or on the first day of term.
Check your child’s placement — Grade 10 learners should confirm their placement in senior secondary schools and report by 12 January.
Update school contact details — ensure the school has your current phone number and emergency contacts.
Review CBC assessment schedules — particularly for Grade 6, 8, and 9 learners with national assessments in Term 3.
International & Private School Opening Dates in Kenya 2026
International schools in Kenya, such as those following the British curriculum (IGCSE) or the International Baccalaureate (IB), often follow different academic calendars from government schools.
For example, British curriculum schools typically:
Open in September and close in December for Term 1
Open in January and close in April for Term 2
Open in April/May and close in July for Term 3
If your child attends an international school, check directly with the school for their specific 2026 term dates.
Find international, private, and boarding schools near you using the Schools in Kenya Directory — compare by curriculum, location, fees, and facilities.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
When are schools opening in Kenya in 2026?
Schools in Kenya opened for Term 1 on Monday, 5 January 2026. Term 2 opens on 27 April 2026 and Term 3 on 24 August 2026.
When do schools open after the April holiday in Kenya?
Schools reopen after the April holiday on Monday, 27 April 2026 for Term 2.
When do schools open after the April holiday in Kenya?
Schools reopen after the April holiday on Monday, 27 April 2026 for Term 2.
When does Term 3 start in Kenya 2026?
Term 3 starts on Monday, 24 August 2026 and runs until 23 October 2026.
When is KCSE 2026?
KCSE 2026 is scheduled to run from 2 November to 20 November 2026.
When does the December holiday start in Kenya 2026?
The December holiday begins on 26 October 2026 and ends on 1 January 2027.
What curriculum do Kenyan schools follow?
Most public schools in Kenya follow the Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC), which replaced the old 8-4-4 system. Private and international schools may follow the British, American, or IB curriculum.
Where can I find the best schools in Kenya?
Visit schoolsinkenya.co.ke to search, compare, and find top-rated primary, secondary, CBC, and international schools across all counties in Kenya.
Whether you are counting down the days until school reopens or planning your family calendar around the holidays, knowing Kenya’s official school term dates is essential. The Ministry of Education’s 2026 academic calendar provides a clear, structured framework for the entire year.
Bookmark this page for easy reference — and if you are looking for the right school for your child, explore the Schools in Kenya Directory to find and compare schools by curriculum, county, fees, and facilities.
When Are Schools Opening in Kenya? 2026 School Calendar & Term Dates
When Are Schools Opening in Kenya? 2026 School Calendar & Term Dates
If you are a parent, student, or teacher asking “when are schools opening in Kenya?”, you are in the right place. The Ministry of Education has officially released the 2026 academic calendar for all basic education institutions — covering pre-primary, primary, junior secondary, senior secondary, and diploma teacher training colleges.
Whether you are planning for back-to-school shopping, family travel, or simply tracking your child’s term dates, this complete guide has everything you need.
📅 Kenya School Opening Dates 2026 — Quick Summary
When Do Schools Open for Term 1 in Kenya 2026?
All pre-primary, primary, junior secondary, senior secondary, and secondary schools in Kenya opened on Monday, 5 January 2026, according to the official circular signed by Basic Education Principal Secretary Julius Bitok.
Term 1 runs for 13 weeks and closes on Thursday, 2 April 2026.
Within Term 1, learners will enjoy a five-day half-term break from Wednesday, 25 February to Sunday, 1 March 2026, before resuming for the second half of the term.
April Holiday 2026
After Term 1, schools proceed on a three-week April holiday running from 7 April to 24 April 2026.
When Do Schools Open for Term 2 in Kenya 2026?
Schools reopen for Term 2 on Monday, 27 April 2026. This is the longest term of the year, running for 14 weeks and closing on Friday, 31 July 2026.
A five-day half-term break is scheduled within Term 2, running from Wednesday, 24 June to Sunday, 28 June 2026.
August Holiday 2026
Following Term 2, schools break for the August holiday from Monday, 3 August to Friday, 21 August 2026 — a three-week break.
When Do Schools Open for Term 3 in Kenya 2026?
Schools reopen for the third and final term on Monday, 24 August 2026. Term 3 runs for 9 weeks, closing on Friday, 23 October 2026.
This is the shortest term of the year, but also the most important — it is when national examinations and assessments take place. The Ministry of Education has maintained a ban on all non-essential activities and visits to secondary schools during Term 3 to protect the integrity of national exams.
📝 National Examinations & Assessments 2026
The 2026 academic calendar includes several critical national assessments under the Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC) framework.
KPSEA 2026 (Kenya Primary School Education Assessment)
KILEA 2026 (Kenya Intermediate Level Education Assessment)
KJSEA & KPLEA 2026
KCSE 2026 (Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education)
🎓 What Is New in Kenya Schools in 2026?
2026 is a landmark year for Kenya’s education system. The pioneer cohort of the Competency-Based Education (CBE) framework is transitioning to Grade 10. These learners, who sat the inaugural KJSEA in 2025, are required to report to their senior secondary schools by 12 January 2026.
This represents a historic milestone for Kenya’s education system, as CBC moves into full implementation at senior secondary level for the first time.
🗓️ December Holiday 2026
The long December holiday begins on Monday, 26 October 2026 — coinciding with the start of national assessments — and runs for 10 weeks, ending on Sunday, 1 January 2027.
This extended break gives families ample time for year-end preparations before schools reopen for the 2027 academic year.
Full 2026 Kenya School Calendar — All Key Dates at a Glance
Kenya School Calendar for Diploma Teacher Training Colleges (DTTCs) 2026
Diploma Teacher Training Colleges follow a slightly different schedule:
Tips for Parents: Back-to-School Preparation in Kenya
With schools opening on 5 January 2026, here are some practical steps for parents to prepare:
International & Private School Opening Dates in Kenya 2026
International schools in Kenya, such as those following the British curriculum (IGCSE) or the International Baccalaureate (IB), often follow different academic calendars from government schools.
For example, British curriculum schools typically:
If your child attends an international school, check directly with the school for their specific 2026 term dates.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
When are schools opening in Kenya in 2026?
Schools in Kenya opened for Term 1 on Monday, 5 January 2026. Term 2 opens on 27 April 2026 and Term 3 on 24 August 2026.
When do schools open after the April holiday in Kenya?
Schools reopen after the April holiday on Monday, 27 April 2026 for Term 2.
When do schools open after the April holiday in Kenya?
Schools reopen after the April holiday on Monday, 27 April 2026 for Term 2.
When does Term 3 start in Kenya 2026?
Term 3 starts on Monday, 24 August 2026 and runs until 23 October 2026.
When is KCSE 2026?
KCSE 2026 is scheduled to run from 2 November to 20 November 2026.
When does the December holiday start in Kenya 2026?
The December holiday begins on 26 October 2026 and ends on 1 January 2027.
What curriculum do Kenyan schools follow?
Most public schools in Kenya follow the Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC), which replaced the old 8-4-4 system. Private and international schools may follow the British, American, or IB curriculum.
Where can I find the best schools in Kenya?
Visit schoolsinkenya.co.ke to search, compare, and find top-rated primary, secondary, CBC, and international schools across all counties in Kenya.
Whether you are counting down the days until school reopens or planning your family calendar around the holidays, knowing Kenya’s official school term dates is essential. The Ministry of Education’s 2026 academic calendar provides a clear, structured framework for the entire year.
Bookmark this page for easy reference — and if you are looking for the right school for your child, explore the Schools in Kenya Directory to find and compare schools by curriculum, county, fees, and facilities.
Comments
More posts