The Teachers Service Commission (TSC) and Ministry of Education are completing a nationwide school inspection while schools prepare to break for the 2026 school calendar half term. This update explains what inspectors are checking, the confirmed half term dates, sports rules for this term, and what school leaders and teachers must have ready.
Key Takeaways
- School inspections by TSC and Ministry teams are concluding this week; they focus on teaching quality and facilities.
- Half term for most basic education institutions is scheduled from 25th February to 1st March 2026, with schools breaking on 24th February and resuming on 2nd March.
- Strict age and documentation rules apply for athletics and games: birth certificates are mandatory and forging them is prohibited.
- Teachers and heads must ensure professional documents (schemes of work, lesson plans, attendance registers) are up to date for inspection.
Inspection overview: TSC school inspection and objectives
The TSC and Ministry inspection teams include County and Sub-County Directors alongside Curriculum Support Officers. Their mission is to assess school readiness, teaching standards, and the general learning environment. The inspection runs through the final week before the half term break and will include both public and private institutions.
What inspectors check
Inspectors review a set of core areas to determine compliance and quality. Key checks include:
- Sanitation and facilities: Clean latrines, safe water, and hygienic classroom spaces.
- School staffing: Adequate staffing levels and presence of qualified teachers.
- Teacher preparedness: Availability and quality of Schemes of Work and Lesson Plans.
- Learning resources: Textbooks, teaching aids, and classroom materials.
- Professional records: Class Attendance Registers, Progress Records and Record of Work Covered.
- Performance contracts: Confirmation that heads of institutions submitted their Performance Contract to the TSC Sub-County Director.
2026 school calendar and term dates
The official term dates for pre-primary, primary, junior and secondary schools are published in the 2026 school calendar. For Term I the key dates are:
- Term I opens: 6th January 2026
- Half term in Term I: schools start break on 25th February 2026 and will be on half-term leave from 25th February to 1st March 2026 (many schools will break on Tuesday 24th February and resume Monday 2nd March)
- Term I closes: 2nd April 2026
Term II and Term III dates are also set in the calendar, with national assessments and holidays scheduled across the year. Refer to the calendar when planning school programs and assessments.
Sports, eligibility and competition rules this term
After half term, schools will continue cluster-level athletics and other sporting activities. The Ministry has issued clear age caps and documentation rules to protect fair competition:
- Primary schools: Only learners under 12 years are eligible for competitions such as Kids Athletics, Track and Field, Gymnastics and Cross Country.
- Junior schools: Learners must be under 15 years for athletics, rugby and basketball competitions.
- Secondary schools: Only students under 18 years may participate; adults are banned from competitions.
- Documentation: A valid birth certificate is mandatory. Teachers and schools have been warned against forging documents.
Events and activities outlined for learners
The Kenya Primary and Junior School Sports Association has listed this term’s events. Examples include:
- Primary: Kids Athletics (8–11 years), 100m–3000m track events, long jump, high jump, shot put, javelin and 1200m cross country for under-12 categories.
- Junior: Swimming (50m and 100m events and relays), Track and Field up to 5000m, steeplechase and hurdles, Rugby 7s and Basketball 5×5, and cross country for U15 categories.
What school leaders and teachers must prepare
To meet inspection expectations, school heads and teachers should ensure the following are current and accessible:
- Updated Schemes of Work and Lesson Plans for all classes.
- Class Attendance Registers and Progress Records.
- Lesson observation forms for heads and deputies to monitor teacher performance.
- Evidence of submission of Performance Contracts to TSC Sub-County Directors.
Resources for teachers and learners
Teachers and parents can use free revision and planning resources to support learning during and after the half term break. Useful resources include CBC exam and curriculum materials, sample papers and lesson plans:
- CBC exams resources and sample papers — useful for primary and lower-secondary revision.
- KCPE exam practice materials — past papers and mock exams for primary leaving-year candidates.
- CBC lesson plans and teaching notes — ready-made lesson guides for classroom use.
Final notes and action points
As inspections conclude and schools observe the half term break, school leaders should prioritise documentation and learner welfare. Keep records updated, ensure sporting eligibility is verified by birth certificates, and use the published 2026 school calendar to plan assessments and activities. Following these steps will help schools meet regulatory requirements and support learners’ progress this term.
