2027 Kenya School Calendar: Official Term Dates, Opening and Closing Dates, Holidays and KCSE Examination Dates
The Ministry of Education has released the 2027 Academic Calendar for Pre-Primary, Primary, Junior, Senior and Secondary Schools, as well as Diploma Teachers Training Colleges.
The official school calendar, contained in a circular dated October 19, 2026, outlines the opening and closing dates for all three school terms, half-term breaks, April and August holidays, December holidays and national examinations.
According to the circular issued by the State Department for Basic Education, schools will reopen for Term One on Monday, January 4, 2027.
The calendar provides separate schedules for pre-primary, primary and junior schools, senior and secondary schools, and Diploma Teachers Training Colleges.
Parents, teachers, school principals, learners and education stakeholders can use the 2027 academic calendar to plan school reopening, fees payments, learning activities, holidays and national examinations.
Below are the complete 2027 school term dates and holidays as provided in the Ministry of Education circular.
2027 SCHOOL CALENDAR AT A GLANCE
| School Activity | Date |
|---|---|
| Term One Opening | January 4, 2027 |
| Term One Closing (Primary and Junior) | April 9, 2027 |
| Term One Closing (Senior and Secondary) | April 2, 2027 |
| Term Two Opening | May 3, 2027 |
| Term Two Closing | July 30, 2027 |
| Term Three Opening | August 30, 2027 |
| Term Three Closing | November 5, 2027 |
| KPSEA, KILEA, KJSEA and KPLEA | November 1–5, 2027 |
| KCSE 2027 | November 8–26, 2027 |
Important: The Ministry provides different Term One closing and holiday dates for different school categories. Parents and school administrators should refer to the appropriate section below.
A. 2027 TERM DATES FOR PRE-PRIMARY, PRIMARY AND JUNIOR SCHOOLS
The Ministry of Education has provided a separate academic calendar for pre-primary, primary and junior schools.
According to the circular, Term One will commence on January 4, 2027, and close on April 9, 2027, lasting 14 weeks.
Term One 2027
| Activity | Opening Date | Closing Date | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| Term One | January 4, 2027 | April 9, 2027 | 14 Weeks |
| Half Term | February 19, 2027 | February 28, 2027 | 9 Days |
| April Holiday | April 10, 2027 | May 2, 2027 | 3 Weeks |
Term Two 2027
Term Two will open on May 3, 2027, and close on July 30, 2027.
| Activity | Opening Date | Closing Date | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| Term Two | May 3, 2027 | July 30, 2027 | 13 Weeks |
| Half Term | June 9, 2027 | June 20, 2027 | 11 Days |
| August Holiday | July 31, 2027 | August 29, 2027 | 4 Weeks |
Term Three 2027
The third term will commence on August 30, 2027, and end on November 5, 2027.
| Activity | Opening Date | Closing Date | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| Term Three | August 30, 2027 | November 5, 2027 | 10 Weeks |
| KPSEA/KILEA/KJSEA/KPLEA | November 1, 2027 | November 5, 2027 | 5 Days |
| December Holiday | November 8, 2027 | January 3, 2028 | 8 Weeks |
B. 2027 TERM DATES FOR SENIOR AND SECONDARY SCHOOLS
The Ministry has also released a separate 2027 academic calendar for senior and secondary schools.
According to the schedule, Term One will open on January 4, 2027, and close on April 2, 2027.
Term One 2027
| Activity | Opening Date | Closing Date | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| Term One | January 4, 2027 | April 2, 2027 | 13 Weeks |
| Half Term | February 19, 2027 | February 28, 2027 | 10 Days |
| April Holiday | April 3, 2027 | May 2, 2027 | 4 Weeks |
Term Two 2027
Term Two will begin on May 3, 2027, and end on July 30, 2027.
| Activity | Opening Date | Closing Date | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| Term Two | May 3, 2027 | July 30, 2027 | 13 Weeks |
| Half Term | June 9, 2027 | June 20, 2027 | 12 Days |
| August Holiday | July 31, 2027 | August 29, 2027 | 4 Weeks |
Term Three 2027
The third term will open on August 30, 2027, and close on November 5, 2027.
| Activity | Opening Date | Closing Date | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| Term Three | August 30, 2027 | November 5, 2027 | 10 Weeks |
| KCSE 2027 | November 8, 2027 | November 26, 2027 | 3 Weeks |
| December Holiday | November 6, 2027 | January 3, 2028 | 8 Weeks |
C. 2027 KCSE EXAMINATION DATES
The 2027 academic calendar has scheduled the Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) examinations to take place from November 8 to November 26, 2027.
This examination period will be important for Form Four candidates, teachers, school principals and examination administrators.
Secondary schools should use the academic calendar to organise syllabus coverage, revision programmes, internal examinations and other preparations ahead of the national examination period.
Candidates are encouraged to prepare early by revising their subjects, practising past examination papers and consulting their teachers for academic guidance.
D. 2027 KPSEA, KILEA, KJSEA AND KPLEA ASSESSMENT DATES
The Ministry’s academic calendar has scheduled the primary and junior school national assessments from November 1 to November 5, 2027.
The assessments listed in the circular are:
- Kenya Primary School Education Assessment (KPSEA).
- Kenya Intermediate Level Education Assessment (KILEA).
- Kenya Junior School Education Assessment (KJSEA).
- Kenya Pre-Vocational Level Education Assessment (KPLEA).
The assessment period is scheduled for five days, from November 1 to November 5, 2027.
Schools, teachers and parents should use the dates to plan learner preparation and the necessary assessment arrangements.
E. 2027 DIPLOMA TEACHERS TRAINING COLLEGES ACADEMIC CALENDAR
The Ministry of Education has also provided a separate 2027 academic calendar for Diploma Teachers Training Colleges.
The college schedule identifies its academic terms as Term II, Term III and Term I.
| Activity | Opening Date | Closing Date | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| Term II | January 5, 2027 | April 2, 2027 | 13 Weeks |
| April Holiday | April 5, 2027 | April 23, 2027 | 3 Weeks |
| Term III | April 26, 2027 | July 30, 2027 | 14 Weeks |
| August Holiday | August 2, 2027 | August 20, 2027 | 3 Weeks |
| Term I | August 23, 2027 | November 12, 2027 | 11 Weeks |
| December Holiday | November 15, 2027 | January 8, 2028 | 8 Weeks |
Principals of Diploma Teachers Training Colleges should use the schedule when planning academic programmes, college activities and holiday arrangements.
WHAT PARENTS AND TEACHERS NEED TO KNOW ABOUT THE 2027 SCHOOL CALENDAR
1. Parents and Guardians
Parents should prepare for the January 2027 school reopening by organising school fees, uniforms, books, stationery and other essential learning materials.
They should also plan family activities around the official school holiday periods.
2. Teachers
Teachers should organise their schemes of work, lesson plans, assessments and revision programmes in line with the scheduled school terms.
Those handling examination classes should ensure that learners receive adequate academic support ahead of the national assessments and KCSE examinations.
3. School Principals
School heads should communicate the official opening and closing dates to parents, teachers and learners.
They should also organise school programmes and administrative activities in accordance with the Ministry of Education’s academic calendar.
DOWNLOAD THE OFFICIAL 2027 SCHOOL CALENDAR PDF
Education News Hub has provided the official Ministry of Education circular containing the 2027 academic calendar for pre-primary, primary, junior, senior and secondary schools, as well as Diploma Teachers Training Colleges.
The document contains two pages showing the complete term dates, half-term breaks, school holidays and national examination periods.
Download the official document below:
2027 School Academic Calendar for Pre – Primary, Junior , Senior, Secondary Schools & Colleges” target=”_blank” rel=”noopener” style=”display:inline-block; background:#d71920; color:#ffffff; padding:15px 22px; text-decoration:none; font-weight:bold; border-radius:5px;”>DOWNLOAD 2027 SCHOOL CALENDAR PDF
RELATED EDUCATION NEWS AND RESOURCES
You may also be interested in the following education updates and resources:
- 2026 School Academic Calendar and Term Dates
- 2026–2027 Academic Term Dates for All Schools
- 2027 National and Post-National Co-Curricular Activities Calendar
Keep visiting Education News Hub for the latest Ministry of Education announcements, school calendar updates, KNEC examinations, TSC news, teacher recruitment, education resources and other important education updates.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT THE 2027 KENYA SCHOOL CALENDAR
1. When will schools open in Kenya in 2027?
According to the Ministry of Education’s 2027 academic calendar, pre-primary, primary, junior, senior and secondary schools will open for Term One on January 4, 2027.
2. When will Term One 2027 end?
For pre-primary, primary and junior schools, Term One will end on April 9, 2027. For senior and secondary schools, Term One will end on April 2, 2027.
3. When will Term Two 2027 begin?
Term Two will begin on May 3, 2027, for pre-primary, primary, junior, senior and secondary schools.
4. When will schools open for Term Three 2027?
Term Three will begin on August 30, 2027, for pre-primary, primary, junior, senior and secondary schools.
5. When will KCSE 2027 examinations begin?
The Ministry’s 2027 academic calendar schedules KCSE examinations to begin on November 8, 2027, and end on November 26, 2027.
6. When will KPSEA and KJSEA 2027 assessments take place?
The Ministry’s calendar lists the KPSEA, KILEA, KJSEA and KPLEA assessment period as November 1–5, 2027.
7. When will the 2027 December holiday begin?
The calendar lists November 8, 2027, as the beginning of the December holiday for pre-primary, primary and junior schools. For senior and secondary schools, it lists November 6, 2027.
8. When will Diploma Teachers Training Colleges open in 2027?
Diploma Teachers Training Colleges will begin their first listed 2027 academic period, Term II, on January 5, 2027.
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