Parents, learners and teachers start the final stretch of the 2026 academic year after the Ministry of Education confirmed that schools will reopen for Term Three on Monday, August 24.
The clarification followed the circulation of a false notice on social media claiming that the reopening of schools had been pushed to September 15.
The State Department for Basic Education dismissed the notice and urged parents and learners to rely on official communication.
With the final term lasting just nine weeks and national assessments beginning only days after schools close, here are the key dates to keep in mind.
When does Term Three begin?
Term Three began on August 24, 2026, and will run until October 23, 2026.
This will be the final learning period of the academic year and is expected to be particularly important for candidates preparing for national assessments and examinations.
The Ministry has maintained that there has been no change to the reopening date despite claims circulating online.
What happens after schools close?
The transition from classroom learning to national examinations will be immediate.
Schools will close for Term Three on October 23, with several national assessments scheduled to begin on October 26, leaving candidates with only a short break before the examination period starts.
When will KPSEA take place?
The Kenya Primary School Education Assessment (KPSEA) is scheduled to run from October 26 to October 29, 2026.
The assessment will involve learners completing the primary school cycle under the Competency-Based Curriculum.
KJSEA and KILEA dates
The Kenya Junior School Education Assessment (KJSEA) will also begin on October 26, 2026.
On the same date, the Kenya Intermediate Level Education Assessment (KILEA) is scheduled to start.
The assessments form part of the national examination period that will begin immediately after the end of Term Three.
When will KCSE candidates sit their exams?
Candidates sitting the Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) examination will begin their papers on November 2, 2026.
The examination is scheduled to continue until November 20, 2026, marking the end of the main national examination cycle for the year.
The Kenya Pre-Vocational Level Education Assessment (KPLEA) is also expected to begin on November 2.
Key dates at a glance
Here are the main dates parents and learners should remember:
- August 24, 2026: Term Three begins
- October 23, 2026: Term Three ends
- October 26–29, 2026: KPSEA
- October 26, 2026: KJSEA and KILEA begin
- November 2, 2026: KPLEA begins
- November 2–20, 2026: KCSE examinations
For parents and candidates, the calendar leaves little room for last-minute adjustments. With national assessments starting almost immediately after schools close, the final nine weeks of Term Three will be crucial for learners preparing for the 2026 examination season.
The Ministry has also urged the public to verify any information about changes to school opening dates or examination schedules through official government communication rather than relying on unverified notices circulating on social media.
