The Ministry of Education has confirmed the dates for the 2026 third term, providing learners, parents, teachers and school administrators with a clear schedule for the final part of the academic year.
According to the 2026 academic calendar, pre-primary, primary, junior school, senior school and secondary school learners will begin the third term on August 24, 2026, and close on October 23, 2026.
The announcement comes as schools prepare to close the second term and enter the three-week August holiday.
When Does Third Term 2026 Begin?
The 2026 third term will run for nine weeks, from August 24 to October 23, 2026.
The Ministry of Education has directed regional, county and sub-county education directors to ensure that the official academic calendar is communicated to all basic education institutions.
Learners will use the nine-week term to complete the year’s academic programme before the national assessments and examinations begin.
2026 National Assessment and Examination Dates
Several national assessments and examinations have been scheduled shortly after the end of the third term.
The key dates are as follows:
– KPSEA: October 26–29, 2026
– KILEA: October 26–30, 2026
– KJSEA: October 26–November 5, 2026
– KPLEA: October 26–November 5, 2026
– KCSE: November 2–20, 2026
The examinations and assessments will mark the culmination of the 2026 academic year for different categories of learners.
KPSEA 2026
The Kenya Primary School Education Assessment (KPSEA) will be administered from October 26 to October 29, 2026.
The assessment is part of the Competency-Based Education framework and will be undertaken by eligible learners at the end of primary education.
KILEA 2026
The Kenya Intermediate Level Education Assessment (KILEA) is scheduled to take place from October 26 to October 30, 2026.
KJSEA and KPLEA 2026
Candidates undertaking the Kenya Junior School Education Assessment (KJSEA) and the Kenya Pre-Vocational Level Education Assessment (KPLEA) will sit their assessments between October 26 and November 5, 2026.
Schools, candidates and parents are therefore expected to make adequate preparations ahead of the assessment period.
KCSE 2026 Examination Dates
The Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) examination is scheduled to begin on November 2, 2026, and run until November 20, 2026.
The examination period will bring the 2026 academic year to a close for secondary school candidates.
Secondary School Visits and Activities Remain Banned
The Ministry of Education has also maintained its directive restricting activities and visits to secondary schools during the third term.
In a circular to education officials, the ministry stated that the ban would remain in force in the third term of 2026.
«“Activities and visits to secondary schools in the third term of 2026 remain banned as per the earlier circulars.”»
The restriction is expected to remain in place throughout the examination period. The aim is to provide candidates with a conducive environment to prepare for and sit their national examinations.
The directive was initially introduced as part of measures aimed at reducing examination malpractice by limiting unnecessary interaction between examination candidates and people from outside their schools.
August Holiday Before Third Term
Before the third term begins, learners will enjoy a three-week holiday running from August 3 to August 21, 2026.
Schools will then reopen on August 24 for the final nine-week term.
The third term will be particularly important for candidates preparing for the various national assessments and the 2026 KCSE examinations.
2026 School Calendar at a Glance
Event| Dates
August holiday| August 3–21, 2026
Third term opens| August 24, 2026
Third term closes| October 23, 2026
KPSEA| October 26–29, 2026
KILEA| October 26–30, 2026
KJSEA & KPLEA| October 26–November 5, 2026
KCSE| November 2–20, 2026
Parents, learners and teachers should take note of these dates and make the necessary preparations for the final term and the national assessment and examination period.
