2027 School Calendar Kenya (PDF): Terms, Holidays and Exam Dates
The 2027 school calendar Kenya parents and teachers have been waiting for is out. The Ministry of Education released it on 19 October 2026 through the State Department for Basic Education, and it covers pre-primary, primary, junior and senior schools, secondary schools and teacher training colleges.
Below you will find every term, half-term and holiday in one place, plus a printable PDF. If you have been searching for the new school calendar 2027 to plan fees, travel or revision, this page has the dates you need.
Quick answer: Term I opens on Monday 4 January 2027, Term II on Monday 3 May 2027 and Term III on Monday 30 August 2027. Term III ends on 5 November 2027, and secondary candidates then sit KCSE from 8 to 26 November. The December holiday runs until 3 January 2028.
Download the 2027 School Calendar PDF
Save it to your phone so you have the dates offline, or print it for the fridge, the staffroom or the school notice board. It is a plain, easy-to-read copy of the dates in the Ministry circular (Ref. MOE.HQS/3/13/3/ Vol III).
Download the 2027 School Calendar (PDF)2027 School Calendar Kenya at a Glance
Two calendars sit side by side in the circular: one for pre-primary, primary and junior schools, and one for senior and secondary schools. Here they are together so you can compare them quickly.
| Period | Primary & junior schools | Secondary & senior schools |
|---|---|---|
| Term I | 4 Jan to 9 Apr (14 weeks) | 4 Jan to 2 Apr (13 weeks) |
| Half-term break | 19 to 28 Feb (9 days) | 19 to 28 Feb (10 days) |
| April holiday | 10 Apr to 2 May (3 weeks) | 3 Apr to 2 May (4 weeks) |
| Term II | 3 May to 30 Jul (13 weeks) | 3 May to 30 Jul (13 weeks) |
| Half-term break | 9 to 20 Jun (11 days) | 9 to 20 Jun (12 days) |
| August holiday | 31 Jul to 29 Aug (4 weeks) | 31 Jul to 29 Aug (4 weeks) |
| Term III | 30 Aug to 5 Nov (10 weeks) | 30 Aug to 5 Nov (10 weeks) |
| National exams | KPSEA, KILEA, KJSEA, KPLEA: 1 to 5 Nov | KCSE: 8 to 26 Nov |
| December holiday | 8 Nov 2027 to 3 Jan 2028 (8 weeks) | 6 Nov 2027 to 3 Jan 2028 (8 weeks) |
The only real difference is in April. Primary and junior schools close a week later, which is why their Term I runs 14 weeks against 13 and their April holiday is a week shorter.
Need the full detail for one level? Open the primary and junior school calendar or the secondary and senior school calendar. If you only want to know the next reporting date, we keep a separate page with a countdown.
Teacher Training Colleges: 2027 Academic Calendar
Diploma teacher training colleges follow their own calendar, and their terms are numbered differently: the year starts with Term II in January and ends with Term I in November.
| TTC term | Opens | Closes | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| Term II | 5 January 2027 | 2 April 2027 | 13 weeks |
| April holiday | 5 April 2027 | 23 April 2027 | 3 weeks |
| Term III | 26 April 2027 | 30 July 2027 | 14 weeks |
| August holiday | 2 August 2027 | 20 August 2027 | 3 weeks |
| Term I | 23 August 2027 | 12 November 2027 | 11 weeks |
| December holiday | 15 November 2027 | 8 January 2028 | 8 weeks |
How to Make Good Use of the Calendar
- Put the three opening dates in your phone calendar today, along with the two half-term breaks.
- Plan school fees around the term dates, since most schools invoice at the start of each term.
- If your child boards, ask the school how reporting day works. The circular gives term dates, not reporting arrangements.
- Book family travel for the long holidays early. The August break is four weeks and the December break is eight.
- Check back before you commit to non-refundable plans, because the Ministry can revise dates.
Which Calendar Page Do You Need?
Primary & Junior Calendar 2027
KJSEA Placement Checker
FAQ: 2027 school calendar Kenya
When does the 2027 school calendar start?
Term I opens on Monday 4 January 2027 for pre-primary, primary, junior and secondary schools. Teacher training colleges open a day later, on 5 January 2027.
Where can I download the 2027 school calendar Kenya PDF?
Use the download button near the top of this page. It is a clean copy of the dates in the Ministry of Education circular dated 19 October 2026, made for printing or saving to your phone.
When do schools close in 2027?
Term I closes on 9 April for primary and junior schools and on 2 April for secondary schools. Term II closes on 30 July for everyone, and Term III closes on 5 November.
When are the half-term breaks in 2027?
The first half-term break runs from 19 to 28 February and the second from 9 to 20 June. Primary and junior schools get 9 and 11 days, while secondary schools get 10 and 12 days.
When is KCSE 2027?
The circular lists KCSE 2027 from 8 to 26 November 2027. KNEC publishes the detailed paper-by-paper timetable separately, so check knec.ac.ke closer to the time.
Are the primary and secondary calendars the same?
Almost. Term II, the August holiday and Term III share the same dates. The difference is in April: primary and junior schools close a week later (9 April against 2 April), so their April holiday is a week shorter.
When do the primary and junior assessments happen?
The circular puts the KNEC primary and junior assessments (KPSEA, KILEA, KJSEA and KPLEA) from 1 to 5 November 2027, in the final week of Term III.
Does the calendar cover teacher training colleges?
Yes. Part C of the circular has a separate calendar for diploma teacher training colleges, and you will find it further down this page.
Can the 2027 term dates change?
They can. The Ministry occasionally revises dates because of national events or weather, so it is worth confirming with your school before you book travel or pay for transport.
