The Ministry of Education has officially confirmed that all primary and secondary schools across Kenya will reopen for the 2026 academic year on Monday, January 5, 2026. This announcement, finalised by Education PS Julius Bitok, sets the stage for a critical year that includes the historic entry of the first CBC cohort into Grade 10 (Senior School). Term One will span 13 weeks, featuring a five-day mid-term break in late February, as the government moves to stabilise the school calendar following the 2025 reforms.
After weeks of speculation and conflicting social media reports, the Ministry of Education has cleared the air on when the 2026 academic year officially begins. In a circular dispatched to all Regional and County Directors of Education, the government has directed that all basic education institutions from Pre-Primary to Senior School reopen their gates on Monday, January 5, 2026.
The 2026 calendar is particularly significant as it represents the first full year of the “Specialised Pathway” model in Senior Schools, following the completion of the 2025 transition.
2026 Term One Blueprint
Term One is traditionally the backbone of the Kenyan academic year, and 2026 is no different. The term is scheduled to last 13 weeks, providing ample time for the rollout of the newly rationalised KICD curriculum for Junior and Senior Schools.
Key Term One Milestones:
- Official Opening: Monday, January 5, 2026.
- Mid-Term Break: Wednesday, February 25 to Sunday, March 1, 2026.
- Term One Closing: Thursday, April 2, 2026.
- April Holiday: Friday, April 3 to Friday, April 24, 2026.
2026 Full Academic Calendar
To ensure parents and teachers can plan for the entire year, the Ministry has provided the following comprehensive schedule:
| Term | Opening Date | Closing Date | Duration | Mid-Term Break | | Term 1 | Jan 5, 2026 | April 2, 2026 | 13 Weeks | Feb 25 – Mar 1 | | Term 2 | April 27, 2026 | July 31, 2026 | 14 Weeks | June 24 – June 28 | | Term 3 | Aug 24, 2026 | Oct 23, 2026 | 9 Weeks | None (Exam Focus) |
Grade 10 Factor
For the first time in Kenyan history, Grade 10 learners will be reporting to Senior Schools. This group, which sat for their KJSEA assessments in late 2025, will be distributed across STEM, Social Sciences, and Arts & Sports Science pathways.
The Ministry has assured parents that the KSh 44 billion capitation released by President Ruto will be in school accounts before the January 5 deadline to facilitate the purchase of new specialised learning materials for these pathways.
Strict Compliance for School Heads
Education CS Julius Ogamba has warned school heads against making independent changes to the reopening dates. All boarding schools are expected to receive students between January 2 and January 4 to ensure that formal instruction begins promptly on Monday morning.
“We have aligned the 2026 calendar to maximise instructional hours. Any school head found charging extra fees outside the government-stipulated capitation or ignoring these dates will face disciplinary action,” the CS noted during a recent briefing.
