As a parent, student, or teacher in Kenya, knowing the school calendar is absolutely vital to ensuring that you are equally prepared for success during each academic term. For the 2025 academic year, the Ministry of Education has officially released the comprehensive school calendar, which provides a detailed overview of all academic term dates as well as the crucial national examination schedules that determine student progression.
The Kenya School Calendar, as we know it today, is strategically designed around a three-term system that carefully balances instructional time, holiday periods, and examination schedules to maximize learning outcomes while thoughtfully accommodating the diverse needs of students, teachers, and parents throughout the country. So, what exactly does the 2025 academic school calendar look like? Schools across Kenya are set to reopen on January 6, 2025, for the start of the new academic year, with Term 1 officially beginning on 6th January 2025. Following this, Term 2 emerges as the longest term at 14 weeks, while Term 3 remains strategically focused on final assessments and national examinations.
2025 Academic Term Dates
The Kenyan School Calendar for both Primary and Secondary schools is divided into three-term structures. As per the official announcements by the Ministry of Education through the office of the Principal Secretary, State Department of Basic Education, Term 1 runs from 6 January to 4 April 2025, spanning 13 weeks with a five-day mid-term break from 26 February to 2 March.
Term 2, the longest at 14 weeks, begins on 28th April and concludes on 1st August 2025, with a mid-term pause from 25th to 29th June. This extended period accommodates project-based learning under the Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC) and prepares junior secondary students for practical assessments. Schools leverage the additional week to address curriculum gaps identified in Term 1.
Term 3 spans 9 weeks (25th August – 24th October 2025) and prioritizes final assessments, including rehearsals for national exams. Unlike the first two terms, it excludes mid-term breaks to minimize disruptions during critical revision periods.
Similarly, the 2025 School Calendar also accommodates Three Holidays. The first is the April holiday (7th–25th April), which provides three weeks after Term 1. It is followed by the August break (4th–22nd August), which separates Terms 2 and 3. The final Holiday is the December holiday (27th October 2025 – 2nd January 2026), which will run for only 10 weeks
To help you visualize all these, below is a table summary for the 2025 Academic calendar:
| Period | Opening Date | Closing Date | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| Term I | 6th January, 2025 | 4th April, 2025 | 13 Weeks |
| Half Term Break | 26th February, 2025 | 2nd March, 2025 | 5 Days |
| April Holiday | 7th April, 2025 | 25th April, 2025 | 3 Weeks |
| Term II | 28th April, 2025 | 1st August, 2025 | 14 Weeks |
| Half Term Break | 25th June, 2025 | 29th June, 2025 | 5 Days |
| August Holiday | 4th August, 2025 | 22nd August, 2025 | 3 Weeks |
| Term III | 25th August, 2025 | 24th October, 2025 | 9 Weeks |
| National Assessments | 27th October, 2025 | 21st November, 2025 | 3-4 Weeks |
| December Holiday | 27th October, 2025 | 2nd January, 2026 | 10 Weeks |
National Examinations and Key Assessment Dates 2025
At the conclusion of every academic calendar year, students from various educational levels throughout the country are required to participate in multiple standardized examinations that serve as crucial benchmarks for academic progression. In 2025, these examinations include KPSEA, KILEA, KJSEA, KPLEA, and KCSE, which the Ministry of Education strategically uses to determine school term schedules and ensure optimal examination conditions.
The first major national examination in 2025 will be the Kenya Primary School Education Assessment (KPSEA), scheduled to run from 27th to 30th October 2025. This assessment is specifically designed to evaluate Grade 6 learners who are studying under the Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC), marking a significant milestone in their educational journey.
During the same intensive examination week, the Kenya Intermediate Level Education Assessment (KILEA) will be conducted from 27th to 31st October, administered to Junior Secondary students. This comprehensive assessment tests core foundational subjects including mathematics, integrated science, and other essential curriculum areas that prepare students for advanced secondary education.
The final tier of national examinations is reserved for senior students, beginning with the Kenya Junior School Education Assessment (KJSEA) and Kenya Primary Level Education Assessment (KPLEA), both scheduled from 27th October to 6th November 2025. These examinations represent critical transition points in students’ academic careers.
The culminating examination, the Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE), will be conducted from 3rd to 21st November 2025. This prestigious examination serves as the gateway to higher education and represents the pinnacle of secondary school achievement for Kenyan students.
FAQs
When do Kenyan schools open for the 2025 academic year?
Schools throughout Kenya officially reopen for Term 1 on 6th January 2025, following the December holiday break that concludes on 2nd January 2026.
Which term is the longest in 2025 and why?
Term 2 is the longest term, running for 14 weeks from 28th April to 1st August 2025. This extended period accommodates project-based learning under the CBC system and allows schools to address any curriculum gaps identified in Term 1.
What curriculum systems are used in Kenyan schools during 2025?
Kenya operates under a transitional system using the Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC) for pre-primary, primary, and junior secondary levels, while senior secondary schools continue with the 8-4-4 system.
