The Ministry of Education’s 2027 school calendar introduces earlier starts, later finishes, longer half-terms and shorter December holidays. This update separates primary/junior and secondary term dates, shifts national assessment windows, and changes term lengths for teachers’ training colleges. Read on for clear dates, practical effects and what schools, parents and teachers should prepare for.
Key Takeaways
- Schools reopen on 4 January 2027, two days earlier than 2026.
- Term III runs longer and ends on 5 November 2027, moving end-of-year activities later.
- Primary/junior and secondary schools now have separate term dates, affecting holiday timing for families with mixed-level children.
- Half-terms are much longer in 2027 and fall earlier in each term.
- December holiday is reduced to eight weeks, running into early January 2028.
Changes in the 2027 school calendar
The 2027 school calendar (circular dated 19 October 2026) changes several key points from 2026. Schools open earlier, close later and offer longer mid-term breaks. For the first time in recent calendars, the Ministry provides separate term dates for primary/junior and senior/secondary schools.
Separate calendars for primary and secondary
Previously one set of dates covered pre-primary through secondary. In 2027:
- Pre-primary, primary and junior schools: Term I runs 4 January to 9 April (14 weeks).
- Senior and secondary schools: Term I runs 4 January to 2 April (13 weeks), giving a longer April holiday for secondary learners.
Families with children at different levels should note that holidays will start and end on different dates.
Term lengths, start and finish dates
Key term shifts to note:
- School reopening: 4 January 2027 (earlier than 2026).
- Term III: now runs from 30 August to 5 November 2027, extending the school year by about two weeks.
- Overall teaching weeks: primary/junior learners get 37 weeks in 2027 (up from 36); secondary learners remain at 36 weeks.
National assessments and KCSE dates
Assessment windows move with the changed term dates:
- KPSEA, KILEA, KJSEA and KPLEA are scheduled together from 1 to 5 November 2027, ending the day Term III closes.
- KCSE 2027 runs from 8 to 26 November 2027, starting the Monday after Term III ends.
Because the secondary holiday is listed as starting on 6 November for some learners, schools should confirm whether students sitting KCSE are considered on holiday or are released only after exams begin.
Longer half-terms and holiday changes
Half-term breaks are longer and occur earlier in the term:
- First half-term: 19 to 28 February 2027 (9 days for primary, 10 for secondary).
- Second half-term: 9 to 20 June 2027 (11 days for primary, 12 for secondary).
The December holiday shortens from ten weeks in 2026 to eight weeks in 2027. It runs until 3 January 2028, beginning on 8 November for primary/junior and on 6 November for secondary in some tables.
Teachers’ training colleges
Diploma Teachers Training Colleges see a relabeling of terms and modest date changes:
- 2027 terms are labeled Term II (5 January–2 April), Term III (26 April–30 July) and Term I (23 August–12 November).
- The academic year starts a day later than 2026 and finishes later, with the final term closing on 12 November 2027.
- December holiday for these colleges is eight weeks (15 November 2027 to 8 January 2028).
What parents, schools and transport providers should plan for
The practical implications are straightforward. Update school calendars, fee schedules, transport timetables and activity plans to reflect:
- Different holiday start/end dates for primary and secondary learners.
- Longer mid-term breaks that may affect childcare and exam preparation.
- Larger overlap between holiday windows and national exams; confirm arrangements for candidates.
Actions schools should take now
- Publish the updated school calendar and share term-by-term dates with parents and staff.
- Review fee schedules and termly transport contracts to account for the longer Term III and shorter December break.
- Confirm whether the previous restriction on third-term visits to secondary schools still applies by consulting the full circular or the county education office.
Resources and exam support
Teachers and learners preparing for assessments can use free revision and exam resources available on related curriculum pages. Useful links:
- CBC exam resources and sample papers — for primary and junior school preparation.
- Free KCPE exams — practice papers and past questions for primary exit exams.
- KCSE revision exams — topical revision materials for secondary candidates.
Schools and parents should check the full 2027 circular or contact sub-county/county education offices for clarifications, especially on exam-specific arrangements and any persistent restrictions from earlier circulars.
