Millions of Kenyan learners return to classrooms on January 5, 2026, starting the first term of the new academic year. The Ministry of Education's calendar details key dates, including holidays and the transition for the pioneer Competency-Based Education cohort. This follows a nearly two-month December break.
As the festive season ends, families across Kenya are preparing for the return to routine, with parents buying uniforms, books, and supplies. The Ministry of Education's academic calendar states that most schools will open before January 10, 2026, with the first term starting officially on January 5.
This term runs for 13 weeks until April 2, 2026, followed by a three-week holiday before the second term resumes on April 27. A half-term break is scheduled from February 25 to March 1, 2026, providing five days off for students and teachers.
The year 2026 stands out because the pioneer cohort of the Competency-Based Education (CBE) will transition to junior secondary school in mid-January. Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Ogamba announced that 1,130,459 learners sat for the examinations, including 578,630 boys and 551,829 girls.
The first group of Grade 10 students in junior secondary schools must report to their institutions by January 12, 2026. Ministry guidelines state: "All schools, both public and private, shall admit Grade 10 through KEMIS. No principal shall enter a learner into KEMIS before he/she reports to the school physically. Daily online reporting shall be monitored through KEMIS."
This signals the beginning of an intensive academic cycle for learners in pre-primary, primary, junior secondary, senior secondary, universities, and other tertiary institutions.
