2026 School Calendar Kenya: Term Dates, Holidays & Exam Windows

The 2026 school calendar Kenya is important for parents, teachers, students and school administrators who need to plan the academic year early. The calendar gives the official term dates, half-term breaks, school holidays and national exam windows for basic education institutions in Kenya.

According to the 2026 academic calendar, schools will have three main terms. Term 1 runs from January to April, Term 2 runs from April to July, and Term 3 runs from August to October. After Term 3, learners in different levels will move into national assessments and examinations, including KPSEA, KJSEA, KILEA, KPLEA and KCSE.

This guide breaks down the Kenya school calendar 2026 in a simple format so that parents, teachers and learners can know when schools open, when schools close, when holidays begin and when national exams are expected to take place.

Quick Summary of the 2026 School Calendar Kenya

For basic education institutions, including pre-primary, primary, junior school, senior school and secondary schools, Term 1 begins in early January 2026 and ends in early April 2026. Term 2 starts in late April and closes at the end of July. Term 3 starts in late August and ends in late October.

The 2026 school term dates Kenya also include two short half-term breaks. The first half-term break is in February, while the second half-term break is in June. Learners will also have the April holiday, August holiday and the long December holiday.

Below is a quick table showing the main school term dates 2026 Kenya.

Official 2026 Term Dates for Schools in Kenya

The Ministry of Education 2026 school calendar applies to basic education institutions across Kenya. This includes pre-primary schools, primary schools, junior schools, senior schools and secondary schools.

Parents should use the official calendar to plan school fees, travel, holiday tuition, revision time and family activities. Teachers and school heads should also use the 2026 academic calendar Kenya to plan schemes of work, assessments, parent meetings, school events and exam preparation.

Term 1 2026 Dates in Kenya

Term 1 is the first and one of the most important parts of the academic year. It gives schools time to settle learners into new classes, introduce new subject areas and begin the main learning activities for the year.

For the 2026 school calendar Kenya, Term 1 starts on Monday, January 5, 2026, and closes on Thursday, April 2, 2026. The term runs for 13 weeks.

During Term 1, schools should focus on covering the foundation topics for the year. Parents should also make sure learners report back on time because missing the first weeks can affect the rest of the academic year.

Term 1 Half-Term Break 2026

The Term 1 half-term break is scheduled from Wednesday, February 25, 2026, to Sunday, March 1, 2026. This gives learners a short rest before returning to complete the second part of Term 1.

For parents, this is a good time to check the learner’s progress, review teacher feedback and identify areas that need extra support before the April holiday.

April Holiday 2026

The April holiday begins on Tuesday, April 7, 2026, and ends on Friday, April 24, 2026. Schools then reopen for Term 2 on Monday, April 27, 2026.

The April holiday gives learners about three weeks away from school. It is useful for rest, light revision and preparation for the longer Term 2. Parents should avoid overloading children during this break, but they can use the period to help learners revise weak areas.

Term 2 2026 Dates in Kenya

Term 2 begins on Monday, April 27, 2026, and closes on Friday, July 31, 2026. It is the longest term in the Kenya school calendar 2026, running for 14 weeks.

Because Term 2 is longer, schools have more time to cover syllabus content, complete projects and run internal assessments. For candidate classes, this is also the best time to start serious revision before the shorter Term 3.

Teachers can use Term 2 to complete major learning areas and identify learners who need support. Parents should also pay close attention to academic reports from this term because they can show whether a learner is ready for the final part of the year.

Term 2 Half-Term Break 2026

The Term 2 half-term break runs from Wednesday, June 24, 2026, to Sunday, June 28, 2026. This break comes in the middle of the longest school term.

During this short break, learners can rest and revise. Schools may also use the period before or after half-term to issue progress reports, conduct assessments or guide parents on academic improvement.

August Holiday 2026

The August holiday begins on Monday, August 3, 2026, and ends on Friday, August 21, 2026. Schools reopen for Term 3 on Monday, August 24, 2026.

The August holiday is important because it comes just before the final term. Learners in candidate classes should use it for revision, but they also need enough rest before the exam season begins.

Parents can support learners by helping them create a simple study timetable. Learners can also use digital learning tools and curriculum resources such as the Keybaki digital library to revise specific subjects and strands during the holiday.

Term 3 2026 Dates in Kenya

Term 3 starts on Monday, August 24, 2026, and ends on Friday, October 23, 2026. It runs for 9 weeks, making it the shortest term in the 2026 school calendar Kenya.

Even though Term 3 is short, it is one of the busiest terms. Schools use this period to complete the syllabus, prepare candidates, finish internal assessments and organize exam logistics.

For candidate classes, Term 3 should focus on revision, past papers, assessment practice and exam readiness. Parents should help learners avoid distractions and maintain a balanced routine with enough sleep, study time and rest.

2026 National Exam Windows in Kenya

The 2026 national exam dates Kenya are important for learners preparing for KPSEA, KILEA, KJSEA, KPLEA and KCSE. The Kenya National Examinations Council, commonly known as KNEC, is responsible for the national exam timetables.

Below is a summary of the expected 2026 exam windows.

KPSEA 2026 Dates

KPSEA 2026 is scheduled to begin on Monday, October 26, 2026, and end on Thursday, October 29, 2026.

KPSEA is important for Grade 6 learners under the Competency-Based Curriculum. Parents should help learners revise early instead of waiting until the final weeks. Teachers should also use continuous assessment and targeted revision to help learners improve weak areas before the assessment window.

KJSEA 2026 Dates

KJSEA 2026 is scheduled to begin on Monday, October 26, 2026, and run up to Thursday, November 5, 2026.

This assessment is important for learners in junior school. Because junior school is a key stage in Kenya’s education system, learners should prepare through regular revision, practice questions and proper understanding of subject strands.

KILEA and KPLEA 2026 Dates

KILEA 2026 is scheduled from Monday, October 26, 2026, to Friday, October 30, 2026. KPLEA 2026 is expected to run from Monday, October 26, 2026, to Thursday, November 5, 2026.

Schools should guide learners and parents early so that every candidate understands the requirements, exam dates and preparation expectations.

KCSE 2026 Exam Dates

KCSE 2026 is scheduled to run from Monday, November 2, 2026, to Friday, November 20, 2026.

The KCSE exam window is one of the most important periods in the 2026 school calendar Kenya. Candidates should use Term 2 and the August holiday for serious revision because Term 3 is short. Schools should also prepare early for practicals, oral papers, exam registration, candidate briefings and final revision.

Parents should support KCSE candidates by creating a calm home environment, reducing unnecessary pressure and helping them follow a realistic revision timetable.

2026 School Holidays in Kenya

The main school holidays 2026 Kenya are the April holiday, August holiday and December holiday.

The April holiday runs from April 7 to April 24, 2026. The August holiday runs from August 3 to August 21, 2026. The December holiday begins after the close of Term 3 and national assessments, running from October 26, 2026, to January 1, 2027.

School holidays are not only for rest. They can also be used for light revision, reading, family activities and personal development. However, learners should not be overloaded with too much academic work during every break.

Parents can also use platforms such as Keybaki to support learners with curriculum-aligned revision, continuous assessments and learning resources during school holidays.

2026 Calendar for Diploma Teacher Training Colleges

Diploma Teacher Training Colleges, also known as DTTCs, follow a similar but slightly different academic calendar.

Teacher trainees should confirm dates with their colleges because some institutional activities may vary slightly depending on internal programmes, teaching practice schedules and administrative planning.

Important Planning Tips for Parents

Parents should mark all the 2026 school opening dates Kenya and school closing dates Kenya early. This helps with school fees planning, transport arrangements, holiday plans and revision schedules.

For learners in candidate classes, parents should avoid waiting until Term 3 to begin exam preparation. The best approach is to support steady learning from Term 1, strengthen weak areas in Term 2 and use Term 3 for final revision.

Parents should also keep communication open with teachers. If a learner is struggling in a subject, it is better to identify the issue early instead of waiting for final exam results.

Important Planning Tips for Teachers and Schools

Teachers should use the 2026 academic calendar Kenya to plan schemes of work, class assessments, remedial lessons and parent communication. Since Term 3 is short, most syllabus coverage should be completed before the end of Term 2.

Schools should also plan candidate support early. This includes revision timetables, mock exams, practical preparation, guidance and counselling, and exam logistics.

For school heads, the 2026 school calendar Kenya should be shared with parents and teachers early. Clear communication reduces confusion about opening dates, closing dates, half-term breaks and national exam periods.

FAQs About the 2026 School Calendar Kenya

When are schools opening in Kenya in 2026?

Schools in Kenya open for Term 1 on Monday, January 5, 2026, for basic education institutions. Diploma Teacher Training Colleges open on Tuesday, January 6, 2026.

What are the Term 1 dates in Kenya for 2026?

Term 1 runs from Monday, January 5, 2026, to Thursday, April 2, 2026. The term lasts for 13 weeks.

When is the 2026 Term 1 half-term break in Kenya?

The Term 1 half-term break runs from Wednesday, February 25, 2026, to Sunday, March 1, 2026.

When is Term 2 opening in Kenya in 2026?

Term 2 opens on Monday, April 27, 2026, and closes on Friday, July 31, 2026.

When is the Term 2 half-term break in 2026?

The Term 2 half-term break runs from Wednesday, June 24, 2026, to Sunday, June 28, 2026.

When is Term 3 opening in Kenya in 2026?

Term 3 opens on Monday, August 24, 2026, and closes on Friday, October 23, 2026.

When will KPSEA 2026 start?

KPSEA 2026 is scheduled to start on Monday, October 26, 2026, and end on Thursday, October 29, 2026.

When will KJSEA 2026 start?

KJSEA 2026 is scheduled to start on Monday, October 26, 2026, and run until Thursday, November 5, 2026.

When will KCSE 2026 start?

KCSE 2026 is scheduled to start on Monday, November 2, 2026, and end on Friday, November 20, 2026.

When is the December holiday in Kenya in 2026?

The December holiday for basic education institutions is scheduled from Monday, October 26, 2026, to Friday, January 1, 2027.

Final Thoughts

The 2026 school calendar Kenya gives parents, teachers, learners and school administrators a clear structure for the academic year. Term 1 runs from January to April, Term 2 runs from April to July, and Term 3 runs from August to October.

The most important thing is to plan early. Parents should prepare for school opening dates, school fees and holiday revision. Teachers should align schemes of work with the term dates. Candidates should begin revision early because the national exam windows begin shortly after Term 3.

With the right planning, the Kenya school calendar 2026 can help schools, parents and learners stay organized throughout the year.