Important Term 3 Dates and Schedule as Kenyan Schools Resume This Week

Kenyan learners are returning to school today, August 24, as schools begin the third and final term of the 2026 academic year, Term 3.

The term comes with a shorter school period before learners proceed to the end-of-year break and the scheduled national assessments and examinations.

According to the official calendar issued by the Ministry of Education, Term 3 will run for nine weeks.

The December holiday is scheduled to run from October 26, 2026, to January 1, 2027, according to the dates provided in the school calendar.

CS Ogamba Announces 7:15 am Earliest Reporting Time for Learners

While appearing before the National Assembly on Wednesday, August 19, Ogamba clarified that learners in day public and private schools should not be required to report before 7:15 a.m.

Ogamba said the requirement is set out in the Basic Education Regulations, 2015, which set the official operating hours for public and private basic education institutions.

The CS explained that the 7:15 a.m. provision is the earliest permissible reporting time and should not be confused with the official start of classroom instruction.

He added that the regulations therefore distinguish between the time learners may report to school and the time formal lessons are expected to begin.

“Regulation 84, subsection 2 of the Basic Education Regulations 2015 stipulates that no day institution of basic education and training shall require learners to report earlier than 7:15 a.m.,” Ogamba said.

“The earliest permissible reporting time is 7:15 a.m., while the prescribed class hours commence from 8 a.m. and end at 3:30 p.m.”

Also Read: Has Govt Extended August Holiday? CS Ogamba Confirms Schools Opening Date for Term Three

Learners will quickly transition from classes to national assessments in Term 3

After the nine-week Term 3 period, Kenyan learners will move into the national assessment and examination period, with several assessments scheduled from late October.

KPSEA will be administered from October 26 to October 29, 2026, over four days. The Kenya Primary School Education Assessment is taken by learners completing Grade 6 and is used to assess learning outcomes at the end of primary school under the Competency-Based Curriculum.

Also, KILEA is scheduled for October 26 to October 30, 2026, and will last five days. The Kenya Intermediate Level Education Assessment is designed for learners at the intermediate level of basic education and assesses competencies acquired at that stage.

KJSEA and KPLEA will run from October 26 to November 5, 2026. The Kenya Junior School Education Assessment (KJSEA) is taken by learners completing Grade 9 and assesses competencies acquired during junior school.

The Kenya Primary Level Education Assessment (KPLEA) assesses learners at the corresponding primary level under the competency-based education system.

Also Read: KNEC Opens Applications for 2026 KCSE and KJSEA Examiner Training: How to Apply

KCSE will then run from November 2 to November 20, 2026, covering three weeks. The Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education examination is taken by learners completing senior secondary education and assesses their academic achievement at the end of the secondary school cycle.

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