Every Kenyan parent and teacher needs the school calendar. Whether you are planning holidays, scheduling revision, or coordinating family events around school terms, this is your definitive reference for the 2026 Kenya academic year.
This calendar covers all three terms for both primary (Grade 1-6) and secondary (Grade 7-12) schools, including the key examination periods for KPSEA and KJSEA. We update this page whenever the Ministry of Education issues changes, so bookmark it and check back throughout the year.
Source: These dates follow the official Ministry of Education / KNEC 2026 terms calendar for Pre-Primary, Primary, Junior Secondary and Senior Secondary schools.
Term 1 — January to April 2026 (13 Weeks)
| Event | Date | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Term 1 Opens | Monday, 5 January 2026 | All learners report. New Grade 7 and Grade 10 learners begin orientation. |
| Mid-Term Break | 25 – 27 February 2026 (3 days) | Official mid-term break. |
| Term 1 Closes | Friday, 3 April 2026 | Report cards issued. End-of-term exams held in the final week. |
| April Holiday | 4 – 26 April 2026 (23 days) | Approximately 3 weeks and 2 days. |
Term 2 — April to July 2026 (14 Weeks)
| Event | Date | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Term 2 Opens | Monday, 27 April 2026 | All learners report back after April holiday. |
| Madaraka Day (Public Holiday) | Monday, 1 June 2026 | Public holiday falls on a Monday — no school. |
| Mid-Term Break | 3 – 7 June 2026 (5 days) | Official mid-term break. |
| Term 2 Closes | Friday, 31 July 2026 | Report cards issued. End-of-term exams in the final week. |
| August Holiday | 1 – 23 August 2026 (23 days) | Approximately 3 weeks. |
Term 3 — August to December 2026 (14 Weeks)
| Event | Date | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Term 3 Opens | Monday, 24 August 2026 | All learners report. Exam classes begin intensive revision. |
| Mid-Term Break | 7 – 11 October 2026 (5 days) | Official mid-term break. |
| Mashujaa Day (Public Holiday) | Tuesday, 20 October 2026 | Heroes Day. No school. |
| KSSEA, KJSEA, KPSEA & KPLEA | 26 October – 20 November 2026 | National assessment period for Grade 12 (KSSEA), Grade 9 (KJSEA), Grade 6 (KPSEA), and learners with special needs (KPLEA). |
| Term 3 Closes | Friday, 27 November 2026 | Report cards issued. Academic year ends. |
| December Holiday | 28 November 2026 – 3 January 2027 (37 days) | Long holiday. Approximately 5 weeks and 2 days. |
2026 Public Holidays That Affect School Days
These public holidays fall during term time and mean no school on those dates:
| Holiday | Date | Falls During |
|---|---|---|
| New Year's Day | Thursday, 1 January 2026 | Before Term 1 starts |
| Good Friday | Friday, 3 April 2026 | Term 1 closing week |
| Easter Monday | Monday, 6 April 2026 | April holiday |
| Labour Day | Friday, 1 May 2026 | April holiday |
| Madaraka Day | Monday, 1 June 2026 | Term 2 |
| Utamaduni Day | Tuesday, 10 October 2026 | Term 3 (formerly Moi Day) |
| Mashujaa Day | Tuesday, 20 October 2026 | Term 3 |
| Jamhuri Day | Saturday, 12 December 2026 | December holiday |
| Christmas Day | Friday, 25 December 2026 | December holiday |
Islamic holidays (Idd ul Fitr, Idd ul Adha) are also observed as public holidays. Their dates vary each year based on the lunar calendar. In 2026, Idd ul Fitr is expected around late March and Idd ul Adha around early June. Check the gazette notice for confirmed dates.
Key Exam Dates to Watch
The two most important national exams under CBC (now CBE) are:
- KSSEA (Grade 12) — 26 October – 20 November 2026. Senior Secondary exit exam.
- KJSEA (Grade 9) — 26 October – 20 November 2026. Junior Secondary exit exam; contributes 60% to Senior Secondary placement.
- KPSEA (Grade 6) — 26 October – 20 November 2026. Contributes 20% to Junior Secondary placement composite.
- KPLEA — 26 October – 20 November 2026. Assessment for learners with special needs.
All four national assessments run in the same 4-week window. KNEC releases the detailed paper-by-paper timetable 2-3 months before the exam period.
How to Use This Calendar for Revision Planning
Smart parents and teachers use the school calendar to plan revision strategically:
Term 1 Strategy (13 weeks)
- Weeks 1-10: Learn new content, keep up with assignments
- Weeks 11-12: Revision using past papers and notes
- Week 13 (end-March to 3 April): End-of-term exams
- April Holiday (4–26 April, 23 days): Review Term 1 weak areas, preview Term 2 topics
Term 2 Strategy (14 weeks)
- Weeks 1-11: New content + strengthening Term 1 foundations
- Weeks 12-13: Revision period
- Week 14 (ending 31 July): End-of-term exams
- August Holiday (1–23 August, 23 days): Major revision for Grade 9 KJSEA candidates. All other grades review Terms 1 & 2.
Term 3 Strategy (14 weeks)
- Weeks 1-8 (24 August – mid October): Final new content + revision begins
- Weeks 9-10 (mid October): Intensive revision for exam classes
- 26 October – 20 November: National exams (KSSEA, KJSEA, KPSEA, KPLEA)
- Term Closes 27 November
- December Holiday (28 November – 3 January 2027): Relax, then preview next year's content in the final week
Frequently Asked Questions
How many weeks is each school term in Kenya?
In the 2026 calendar, Term 1 is 13 weeks (5 January – 3 April), Term 2 is 14 weeks (27 April – 31 July), and Term 3 is 14 weeks (24 August – 27 November). Term 3 includes the national examination period (KSSEA, KJSEA, KPSEA, KPLEA) from 26 October to 20 November.
When are the KJSEA exams in 2026?
KJSEA 2026 runs from 26 October to 20 November 2026, per the official MoE/KNEC terms calendar. This period also covers KSSEA (Grade 12), KPSEA (Grade 6), and KPLEA (learners with special needs). The detailed paper-by-paper timetable will be released by KNEC closer to the exam period.
Are mid-term breaks mandatory for all schools?
The Ministry of Education provides official mid-term break dates, but not all schools observe them in the same way. Most schools give learners the weekend off but do not extend the break. Some private schools and boarding schools handle mid-term breaks differently. Confirm with your specific school.
Does the school calendar apply to both CBC (now CBE) and IGCSE schools in Kenya?
The Ministry of Education school calendar applies to all schools registered under the CBC (now CBE) system. IGCSE and Cambridge schools in Kenya often follow the same term dates for convenience, but their examination schedule is different — Cambridge exams are held in May/June and October/November, set by Cambridge Assessment International Education, not KNEC. IGCSE schools may adjust their internal calendar around these exam windows.
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This calendar page is free to access and share. Send the link to other parents and teachers — everyone needs the school calendar. For printable revision timetables and study planning tools, check our free resources page.