Basic Education PS John Ololtuaa shakes hands with players as he launched Term Two 2026 National School Games at M-PESA Foundation Academy, Thika, August 2 /JOHN OLOLTUAA/XThe Ministry of Education has tightened rules on school activities, moving non-academic events from Third Term to give candidates uninterrupted time to prepare for national examinations and assessments.
The changes come as schools enter the final stretch of the 2026 academic year, with the Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) examinations scheduled to run from October 19 to November 20.
The Kenya Primary School Education Assessment (KPSEA) written papers will run from October 26 to 28, while the Kenya Junior School Education Assessment (KJSEA) and Kenya Intermediate Level Education Assessment (KILEA) will be administered from October 26 to 30.
The Kenya Pre-Vocational Level Education Assessment is scheduled for October 26 to 29.
Under the new directive, schools will have to reorganise activities that traditionally take place towards the end of the academic year, with the ministry seeking to minimise disruptions as candidates prepare for the examinations.
Basic Education Principal Secretary John Ololtuaa issued the directive in a circular dated Thursday, September 3.
“To facilitate effective preparation for and administration of these national assessments and examinations and to minimise disruption, the ministry has deemed it necessary to regulate co-curricular, social and external-engagement activities throughout Third Term and the national assessment and examination period,” the circular stated.
What is permitted
Schools can continue holding regular worship sessions conducted internally by chaplains and teachers.
The ministry has also directed education officers to remain available throughout the examination and assessment period by cancelling their annual leave.
Regional, county and subcounty directors of education have been tasked with implementing the new measures and ensuring schools comply with the restrictions.
The changes come as preparations for the national examinations intensify, with the Teachers Service Commission beginning the process of selecting teachers to participate in the 2026 examinations and assessments.
Curriculum Support Officers are collecting candidate details from school heads, while subcounty directors of education have been directed to submit qualified centre managers, supervisors and invigilators to the Kenya National Examinations Council's CP2 online portal by late September.
What is not permitted
Schools will no longer hold Annual General Meetings during Third Term.
The ministry has directed that AGMs be scheduled in either First or Second Term.
Prize-giving ceremonies, thanksgiving events and dedicated prayer days for candidates have also been moved to Second Term.
Candidate prayer days involving parents, visitors or other people from outside schools will not be allowed during the examination period.
The restrictions are particularly significant considering at nine weeks, Third Term is the shortest learning period of the school calendar but is the most critical.
Schools must use the period to complete syllabuses, prepare candidates for national examinations and assessments while continuing normal learning for pupils in other classes.
First Term runs for 13 weeks, while Second Term lasts 14 weeks.
However, the ministry announced in June that it plans to shorten Second Term from the 2027 academic year to create a better balance between the three terms and reduce the long duration of the second term.
The decision followed concerns that a wave of unrest and dormitory fires that prompted the closure of at least 204 secondary schools was triggered by fatigue and stress among learners because of the lengthy term.
Sixteen deaths were reported at Utumishi Girls Academy in Gilgil following a dormitory fire on the night of May 28.
The latest restrictions are intended to ensure schools can devote the final weeks of the year to teaching, examination preparation and the smooth administration of the national assessments.
