The Ministry of Education has issued the official 2027 school term dates for all levels. This summary outlines the 2027 school term dates for pre-primary, primary, junior, senior/secondary schools and diploma teachers training colleges so school leaders, teachers, parents and students can plan the academic year and examinations.
Key Takeaways
- Term start and end dates: Most schools open in early January and finish Term III by early November.
- Longer half-term breaks: Mid-term breaks are scheduled in February and June with clear durations.
- Major assessments: Primary and junior KNEC assessments run in early November; KCSE exams are scheduled in November.
- Teacher training colleges: Diploma TTCs follow a different term pattern with term cycles beginning in January and August.
- Use resources: Teachers can prepare using exam and curriculum resources for CBC, KCPE and KCSE linked below.
Key dates: 2027 school term dates
This section lists the term dates and key assessment windows. Schools should record these dates in school calendars and share them with parents and staff.
Pre-primary, Primary and Junior Schools (2027)
- Term I: Opening 4 January 2027 — Closing 9 April 2027 (14 weeks)
- Half-term (Term I): 19 February 2027 — 28 February 2027 (9 days)
- April Holiday: 10 April 2027 — 2 May 2027 (3 weeks)
- Term II: 3 May 2027 — 30 July 2027 (13 weeks)
- Half-term (Term II): 9 June 2027 — 20 June 2027 (11 days)
- August Holiday: 31 July 2027 — 29 August 2027 (4 weeks)
- Term III: 30 August 2027 — 5 November 2027 (10 weeks)
- KNEC Primary & Junior Assessments (KPSEA / KILEA / KJSEA / KPLEA): 1 November 2027 — 5 November 2027 (5 days)
- December Holiday: 8 November 2027 — 3 January 2028 (8 weeks)
Senior and Secondary Schools (2027)
- Term I: Opening 4 January 2027 — Closing 2 April 2027 (13 weeks)
- Half-term (Term I): 19 February 2027 — 28 February 2027 (10 days)
- April Holiday: 3 April 2027 — 2 May 2027 (4 weeks)
- Term II: 3 May 2027 — 30 July 2027 (13 weeks)
- Half-term (Term II): 9 June 2027 — 20 June 2027 (12 days)
- August Holiday: 31 July 2027 — 29 August 2027 (4 weeks)
- Term III: 30 August 2027 — 5 November 2027 (10 weeks)
- KCSE 2027 exams: 8 November 2027 — 26 November 2027 (exam window)
- December Holiday: 6 November 2027 — 3 January 2028 (8 weeks)
Diploma Teachers Training Colleges (2027)
- Term II: 5 January 2027 — 2 April 2027 (13 weeks)
- April Holiday: 5 April 2027 — 23 April 2027 (3 weeks)
- Term III: 26 April 2027 — 30 July 2027 (14 weeks)
- August Holiday: 2 August 2027 — 20 August 2027 (3 weeks)
- Term I: 23 August 2027 — 12 November 2027 (11 weeks)
- December Holiday: 15 November 2027 — 8 January 2028 (8 weeks)
Holidays, Exams and Assessments — what to watch
Schools should prepare for assessment periods and holiday transitions. The primary and junior KNEC assessments are scheduled in early November. Secondary schools must plan for the KCSE exam period in mid-to-late November. Calendar planning helps avoid clashes with school events and co-curricular activities.
How schools and teachers should use the 2027 school term dates
- Publish the school calendar to parents and staff early. Use the official term dates as the baseline.
- Schedule internal exams, parent-teacher meetings and co-curricular events around half-term and holiday periods.
- Allocate revision time before KNEC and KCSE windows. Ensure exam timetables do not conflict with school breaks.
- Use approved curriculum and exam resources to guide revision and lesson plans.
Resources and preparation materials
Teachers and students can access practice papers and curriculum guides to prepare for the year and examinations. For CBC-aligned exam practice and lesson planning, use the CBC exam resources and practice papers. Primary teachers preparing learners for national assessments can find sample papers at the KCPE exam resources. Senior school learners and teachers preparing for national exams can use the KCSE/KSCE revision and topical exams.
Next steps for school leaders
- Update the official school calendar using these dates and distribute it to parents and staff.
- Plan teacher in-service days and mark schemes ahead of assessment windows.
- Ensure learners receive timely revision schedules before KNEC and KCSE exams.
- Coordinate transport, boarding and holiday arrangements early to reduce disruptions during holidays.
The Ministry issued this circular to regional, county and sub-county education directors and asked that it be distributed to all basic education institutions.
