Parents, learners and teachers now have a schedule to plan around after the Ministry of Education released the 2027 academic calendar covering pre-primary, primary, junior, senior and secondary schools.

In a circular dated October 19, 2026, Principal Secretary for Basic Education John Lekakeny Ololtuaa outlined the opening and closing dates for the three school terms, alongside half-term breaks and holiday periods.

“Below is the 2027 academic calendar for schools and Teachers Training Colleges,” the circular read.

The calendar sets January 4, 2027, as the opening date for Term One, while the final term ends on November 5, 2027.

It also provides dates for the April, August and December holidays, as well as national assessment periods, giving schools and families a timetable for the 2027 academic year.

2027 School Term Dates for Pre-Primary, Primary and Junior Schools

The Ministry of Education has scheduled three terms for pre-primary, primary and junior schools in 2027, with two half-term breaks and three major holiday periods with the academic calendar as follows:

  • Term One: January 4 – April 9, 2027 (14 weeks).
  • First Half-Term: February 19 – February 28, 2027 (9 days).
  • April Holiday: April 10 – May 2, 2027 (3 weeks).
  • Term Two: May 3 – July 30, 2027 (13 weeks).
  • Second Half-Term: June 9 – June 20, 2027 (11 days).
  • August Holiday: July 31 – August 29, 2027 (4 weeks).
  • Term Three: August 30 – November 5, 2027 (10 weeks).
  • KPSEA, KILEA, KJSEA and KPLEA Assessments: November 1 – November 5, 2027 (5 days).
  • December Holiday: November 8, 2027 – January 3, 2028 (8 weeks).

Ministry 2027 School Term Dates for Senior and Secondary Schools

The circular also detailed the 2027 academic calendar for senior and secondary schools, outlining three terms, half-term breaks, holidays, and the Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) examination period.

Dates scheduled are as follows:

  • Term One: January 4 – April 2, 2027 (13 weeks).
  • First Half-Term: February 19 – February 28, 2027 (10 days).
  • April Holiday: April 3 – May 2, 2027 (4 weeks).
  • Term Two: May 3 – July 30, 2027 (13 weeks).
  • Second Half-Term: June 9 – June 20, 2027 (12 days).
  • August Holiday: July 31 – August 29, 2027 (4 weeks).
  • Term Three: August 30 – November 5, 2027 (10 weeks).
  • KCSE 2027 Examinations: November 8 – November 26, 2027 (3 weeks).
  • December Holiday: November 6, 2027 – January 3, 2028 (8 weeks).

Academic Calendar for Diploma Teachers Training Colleges

Diploma Teachers Training Colleges will follow a separate academic calendar in 2027, with three terms running from January to November and holiday breaks scheduled between the terms.

The first session, Term Two, will begin on January 5 and close on April 2, 2027, covering 13 weeks. Colleges will then break for the April holiday from April 5 to April 23.

Term Three will run from April 26 to July 30, 2027, and will last 14 weeks. The August holiday will run from August 2 to August 20.

Term One will begin on August 23 and end on November 12, 2027, covering 11 weeks.

The December holiday will start on November 15, 2027, and end on January 8, 2028, marking an eight-week break.

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