Education Principal Secretary Julius Bitok has issued a directive warning schools across the country against engaging in non-academic activities throughout the third term.
The third term for all schools commenced on Monday, 25th August 2025, and will continue until Friday, 24th October 2025, lasting a total of nine weeks.
Schools will then proceed for the December holiday from 27th October 2025 to 2nd January, a period of ten weeks to allow the 2026 school calendar to begin on 5th January 2026.
In a statement issued on Thursday, August 28, PS Bitok announced a ban on all social and extra-curricular activities in the third term to minimize disruptions ahead of national exams starting in October.
PS Bitok Bans Social and Extra-Curricular Activities in Schools Ahead of National Exams
The PS said the directive will affect prayer sessions, social events and other non-academic gatherings, which he noted could distract candidates during the crucial period.
“To enhance focus on effective preparation for national examinations and assessments, and to minimize disruptions, the Ministry shall implement strict controls on extra-curricular and social activities during the Third Term,” Bitok said.
“The restrictions have been put in place to help students focus on preparing for these exams without disruptions,” Bitok said.
On prayer sessions, Bitok stated that schools will not be allowed to organise special prayers involving parents, external visitors, or other outsiders.
However, routine prayers and worship conducted by chaplains and teachers within the school community will continue uninterrupted.
“There shall be no prayer sessions for candidates involving parents, outsiders, or external visitors. However, regular prayer and worship activities conducted by school chaplains and teachers within the school community shall remain unaffected,” he stated.
Bitok further clarified that Annual General Meetings (AGMs) and similar events will only be permitted in the First and Second Terms, while prize-giving ceremonies, thanksgiving celebrations, and other social functions will remain restricted to the Second Term.
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Exam Dates
At the same time, PS Bitok announced that the Kenya Intermediate Level Education Assessment (KILEA) exams will run from October 27 to October 30, to be conducted alongside the Kenya Primary Literacy and Kenya Primary School exams.
Meanwhile, learners will sit for the Kenya Primary School Education Assessment (KPSEA) from October 27 to 29, while the Kenya Junior School Education Assessment (KJSEA) will run from October 27 to November 5, 2025.
The Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) exams are scheduled to start on October 21 and end on November 21, 2025, while Kenya Primary Literacy Education Assessment (KPLEA) will start on October 27 to October 30, to be conducted alongside the intermediate level exams.
Teachers and officers directly involved in administering national examinations have also been instructed to remain on duty throughout the examination period.
“Annual leave for officers engaged in the administration of exams has been cancelled for the affected period,” the PS said.
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The ministry has urged schools to fully comply with the guidelines, saying they are intended to safeguard the academic success of candidates.
“These steps are meant to allow students to focus entirely on their studies as they prepare for their respective exams,” Bitok said.
He added that school administrators and education stakeholders must inform all relevant parties about the changes and adjust their programmes accordingly.
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