All Primary & Secondary Schools in Kenya to Close at Exactly This Date This Month For a Long Holiday

Schools across Kenya are entering the final stages of preparations for the 2026 national assessments and examinations, with millions of learners expected to sit papers between October and November.

According to the Kenya National Examinations Council (KNEC), the regular third term will end on October 23, after which candidates will proceed with their national assessments. The official calendar provides for a long end-of-year break following the examination period.

Grade 6 learners will sit the Kenya Primary School Education Assessment (KPSEA) from October 26 to October 28. The assessment will begin with Mathematics and English on October 26, followed by Integrated Science and Kiswahili on October 27. Creative Arts and Social Studies will be administered on October 28. A rehearsal day is scheduled for October 23.

Grade 9 learners will undertake the Kenya Junior School Education Assessment (KJSEA) from October 26 to October 30. The assessment forms part of the Competency-Based Education system and will help determine learners’ progression to senior school.

For Form Four candidates, the 2026 Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) examination cycle will begin earlier than stated in some circulating reports. KNEC has scheduled oral and practical components from October 19, while the main written papers begin on November 2. The KCSE examination cycle is scheduled to conclude on November 20.

With the examination period approaching, schools, teachers, parents and candidates are expected to focus on revision, examination requirements and final preparations.

The 2026 academic calendar provides for a lengthy end-of-year break, with schools expected to resume in January 2027.

https://www.knec.ac.ke/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/2026-KPSEA-TIMETABLE.pdf?utm_source=chatgpt.com