Quick takeaway
- The Ministry of Education has issued the official 2026 academic calendar for all basic education institutions and Diploma Teacher Training Colleges (DTTCs). The circular was signed by Basic Education Principal Secretary Julius K. Bitok and circulated to national and county education leadership.
- Schools open for Term 1 on Monday, January 5, 2026. KCSE examinations are set for early November 2026. Several national assessments for lower levels begin in late October. See the full table below.
Why this matters to you (short)
If you teach in Kenya — or administer or run a school — this calendar sets the rhythm for lesson planning, assessments, CPD, marking windows and parent communication across 2026. The dates also lock in when major national assessments will happen, so this is the framework you’ll want to load into your school management system and term planners now.
At-a-glance calendar (summary table Format 1)
Here is the 2026 calendar data presented in a way that’s easy to understand:
2026 Kenya Academic Calendar – Basic Education Institutions
Key Examination Dates:
- National Assessments (KPSEA, KILEA, KJSEA, etc.): Commencing around Monday, October 26, 2026.
- Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE): Monday, November 2 – Friday, November 20, 2026.
- December Holiday: Monday, October 26, 2026 – Sunday, January 3, 2027 (10 weeks)
2026 Diploma Teacher Training Colleges (DTTC) Academic Calendar
Key Dates for DTTCs:
- DTTC Holiday: Saturday, November 7, 2026 – Friday, January 3, 2027 (Approx. 7 weeks, adjusted for KCSE overlap)
At-a-glance calendar (summary table Format 2)
Event |
Basic education (pre-primary → secondary) |
Diploma Teacher Training Colleges (DTTC) |
|---|---|---|
Term 1 — start |
Monday, 5 January 2026 |
Tuesday, 6 January 2026 |
Term 1 — end / duration |
Thursday, 2 April 2026 (13 weeks) |
Thursday, 2 April 2026 (13 weeks) |
Term 1 — mid-term break |
Wed 25 Feb — Sun 1 Mar 2026 (5 days) |
— (follow same pattern where applicable) |
April holiday |
Tue 7 April — Fri 24 April 2026 (3 weeks) |
Tue 7 April — Fri 24 April 2026 (3 weeks) |
Term 2 — start / end |
Monday, 27 April — Friday, 31 July 2026 (14 weeks) |
Monday, 27 April — Friday, 31 July 2026 (14 weeks) |
Term 2 — half-term break |
Wed 24 June — Sun 28 June 2026 (5 days) |
same |
August holiday |
Mon 3 August — Fri 21 August 2026 (3 weeks) |
Mon 3 August — Fri 21 August 2026 (3 weeks) |
Term 3 — start / end |
Monday, 24 August — Friday, 23 October 2026 (9 weeks) |
Monday, 24 August — Friday, 6 November 2026 (11 weeks) — DTTCs run longer Term 3 |
National assessments/exams |
Assessments begin around 26 October 2026 (KPSEA, KILEA, KJSEA, etc.); KCSE: 2 Nov — 20 Nov 2026 |
DTTC Term 3 ends 6 Nov; holiday starts 9 Nov (DTTCs) |
End-of-year / December holiday |
Long holiday scheduled from around 26 October 2026 through 1 January 2027 (10 weeks for basic education) |
DTTC December holiday: 9 Nov 2026 — 1 Jan 2027 (approx.) (the-star.co.ke) |
Term by term breakdown (what to pencil into your planner)
Term 1 (Jan 5 — Apr 2, 2026)
- First day for learners in basic education is Monday, January 5, 2026; DTTCs open a day later on Tuesday, January 6. The first term runs 13 teaching weeks and includes a five-day mid-term break (25 Feb — 1 Mar). The April holiday follows, giving a three-week gap before Term 2 begins. These fixed windows are your best chance to schedule internal assessments, staff induction days, and targeted remedial plans.
Term 2 (Apr 27 — Jul 31, 2026)
- Term 2 is the longest block (approximately 14 weeks). There’s a five-day mid-term break (24 Jun — 28 Jun) and a three-week August holiday (3 Aug — 21 Aug). Use the extra runway in Term 2 for curriculum catch-up and larger enrichment activities that won’t be possible during the exam-focused Term 3.
Term 3 and national assessments (Aug 24 — Oct 23, assessments late Oct / Nov)
- Term 3 is shortest for basic education (9 weeks, 24 Aug — 23 Oct), with national assessments rolling out soon after. Most national-level assessments under the Competency-Based Education (CBE) schedule begin on or around 26 October 2026; KCSE is scheduled for 2 — 20 November 2026. DTTCs run Term 3 longer, ending in early November and then moving into their holiday period. These are the weeks for concentrated exam practice, candidate briefs and pre-exam logistics.
Policy reminder: visits and activities
- The Ministry has maintained a prohibition on external activities and visits to secondary schools during Term 3 2026 — the same restriction issued previously to protect exam environments and reduce disruption. Heads should plan awarding days, AGMs, and visits in Terms 1 or 2. (the-star.co.ke)
How teachers and school leaders can turn dates into a practical plan (a simple, honest checklist)
- Update your school calendar now: export the key dates into your MIS and staff shared calendars.
- Re-sequence the syllabus: map out unit coverage so core content finishes at least two weeks before national assessments.
- Plan assessments around mid-term breaks: use the five-day half-terms for quick diagnostic tests and progress reports (so parents get timely info).
- Reserve CPD and staff meetings during April and August holidays for larger training days; use half-term breaks for short catch-ups and marking windows.
- Safeguard candidates: no external visits or non-essential activities in Term 3; inform parents and partners early. (kenyans.co.ke)
Practical classroom tips (small changes that add up)
- Spread mock exams across Term 2 so students are not testing-heavy in the final weeks.
- Use the April break to submit coursework moderation packs and to tidy up records (it’s less busy than the December end-of-year rush).
- Keep a shared “exam logistics” folder for exam day rosters, invigilation lists and emergency contacts — DTTC schedules differ slightly, so coordinate with nearby colleges if you share resources.
Practical Tips: How to Make the Most of the 2026 Calendar
Alright, let’s turn knowledge into action. As someone who’s juggled PTA meetings and classes, here are my top tips for thriving under this schedule:
- Lesson Planning Hack: Use Term 1’s 13 weeks to build momentum. Break it into units around the half-term—front-load CBC strands like environmental activities for that February break reflection.
- Professional Growth: Holidays are prime for upskilling. Enroll in online TSC courses during Easter or attend KNEC workshops in August. Pro tip: Budget for travel to hubs like Nakuru for in-person sessions.
- Student Engagement: With KCSE looming in November, start mock exams in Term 3. Incorporate fun—think debate clubs during June’s half-term to keep juniors hooked.
- Wellness Check: Those 10-week December breaks? Don’t fill them with work. Plan a sabbatical day for self-care. Burnout is real; I’ve been there after a grueling Term 3.
- Parental Involvement: Share this calendar at open days. Use it to set expectations—e.g., “Term 2 ends July 31, so holiday reading lists incoming!”
Final note (from teachers to teachers)
This calendar gives us predictability — a precious thing. Use the half-terms and the holidays to build focus time for students and breathing room for staff. Mark the exam dates in bold on your scene planners, and if your school runs candidate classes, start logistics conversations early. And yes — stock up on pens for marking season. You’ll thank yourself later.