2027 Co-curricular Calendar: Sports, Music, Drama and Science Fair Dates

Updated 5 November 2026.

What was released

Teachers Arena published the Ministry circular on 3 November 2026 under the title 2027 National and Post-National Co-curricular Activities Calendar. It is signed by Basic Education Principal Secretary John L. Ololtuaa and addressed to regional, county and sub-county directors of education, university vice chancellors, and principals of teacher training colleges and TVET institutions. It covers primary (Under 12), junior (Under 15) and secondary (Under 18) schools, special schools, teacher training colleges and East African events. The circular tells field officers and schools to refer to the calendar when they organise sub-county, county and regional competitions.

The page we read does not state a circular date or reference number, and we have not seen the original. We found no second outlet reporting this circular, so everything below is as Teachers Arena reported it.

Sponsored Watch Monday, Again: a 2-minute school story

Key 2027 dates

Events by level: Term 1 sports cover athletics, kids athletics, gymnastics and cross country for primary; athletics, cross-country, basketball 5x5, rugby 7s and swimming for junior; and rugby 15s, athletics, basketball, hockey, handball, cross country and swimming for secondary. Term II ball games include soccer, volleyball, netball, handball and chess, with basketball 3x3 for junior and secondary and more sports for secondary.

Where the dates meet the school calendar

Comparing the circular with the reported 2027 school calendar shows some events fall close to term edges. This is our reading of the dates, not something the circular says:

• Term 1 sports (8 to 15 April) start after secondary Term 1 closes on 2 April. For primary and junior schools, Term 1 closes on 9 April, so the sports open the day before term ends and run into the April holiday, which begins on 10 April.
• Term II ball games (24 July to 1 August) start on a Saturday, just before the last week of Term 2, which closes on Friday 30 July, and end in the August holiday.
• FEASSA Games (23 August to 3 September) begin in the August holiday, which ends on 29 August.

For every term, half-term and exam date, see our 2027 school calendar explainer. The reports do not say how schools will release or prepare learners around these dates. Ask your school how selection and travel will work.

What it means for families

Parents of learners in sports, music and drama

The circular refers to sub-county, county and regional competitions that come before the national events, so expect school trials and rehearsals earlier in the year. Ask your school for its schedule. Learners heading for the Arts and Sports Science pathway, covered in our guide to Grade 10 Arts and Sports Science subjects, are likely to care most, but the calendar covers every level from primary to secondary. Our Creative Arts and Sports revision guide shows how the learning area is assessed.

Teachers and games coordinators

Use the calendar to plan school trials, transport and clinics backward from the national dates. Venues for Term II events are still to be communicated, so allow time for late changes. For the rest of your year, the Term 1 2027 planning guide is a useful companion. Coaches may also want our note on the reported TSC move to recognise sports, music and drama teachers.

Families moving to junior school

If your child is joining Grade 7 in January 2027, our junior school checklist lists what to prepare.

What is not clear yet

• The drama and film festival is listed as 9 to 21 April, but its schedule gives a closing day of 15 April, so the end date is unclear.
• Several Term II events have no host or venue yet; the report says venues will be communicated later.
• The Kenya Music Festival venue is blank, and levels are not stated for the drama and music festivals.
• The dates come from one outlet, Teachers Arena. We found no second report on 5 November and have not seen the circular.
• The report does not say whether private or Cambridge IGCSE schools take part.

Frequently asked questions

When are the 2027 national school sports?

Term 1 sports are listed for 8 to 15 April 2027 in Machakos, and Term II ball games for 24 July to 1 August 2027, with the venue for Term II still to be communicated.

When is the 2027 Kenya Music Festival?

The calendar lists 20 July to 3 August 2027, with the state concert on 30 July. The report names Kisii (Nyanza region) as host but leaves the venue blank.

When is the 2027 Science and Engineering Fair?

28 March to 4 April 2027 in Mombasa at Shimo La Tewa, with action days from 29 March to 3 April.

When is the National Drama and Film Festival in 2027?

It is listed for 9 to 21 April 2027 at Embu, though the schedule shows a closing day of 15 April, so confirm the end date with your school.

Where do I find the official circular?

Ask your sub-county education office or check the Ministry of Education website at education.go.ke. We have only seen the report of it.

Sources

• Ministry Circular: 2027 National and Post-National Co-curricular Activities Calendar (Teachers Arena, 3 Nov 2026)
• Education Ministry Releases 2027 School Calendar for Schools and Colleges (Teachers Arena, 3 Nov 2026)
• MoE releases 2027 school calendar (Education News, 3 Nov 2026)
• Ministry of Education website for official circulars

CBC Edu Kenya reports published statements and has not seen the circular itself. The co-curricular dates rest on one outlet; the school calendar dates used for comparison are agreed by three. Confirm all dates with your school or sub-county office.