Changes to school schedules can be tricky to keep track of.
The Ministry of Education has released new term dates for 2025. These updates affect students, parents, and teachers across Kenya.
The 2025 school year will start on January 6th for primary and secondary schools.
This is part of the revised academic calendar for pre-primary, primary, secondary, and teacher-training colleges.
Term 1 will run for 13 weeks, ending on April 4th, 2025.
You’ll want to mark your calendars for the rest of the year too.
Term 2 is set to begin on April 28th, 2025. The full academic year will have 200 school days spread across four terms.
Each term will vary in length, with Term 3 being the longest at 53 days.
Primary and Secondary School Term Dates
| Term/Event | Opening Date | Closing Date | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| Term 1 | January 6, 2025 | April 4, 2025 | 13 weeks |
| Half Term (Term 1) | February 26, 2025 | March 2, 2025 | 5 days |
| April Holiday | April 7, 2025 | April 25, 2025 | 3 weeks |
| Term 2 | April 28, 2025 | August 1, 2025 | 14 weeks |
| Half Term (Term 2) | June 25, 2025 | June 29, 2025 | 5 days |
| August Holiday | August 4, 2025 | August 22, 2025 | 3 weeks |
| Term 3 | August 25, 2025 | October 24, 2025 | 9 weeks |
| KPSEA | October 27, 2025 | October 30, 2025 | 4 days |
| KILEA | October 27, 2025 | October 31, 2025 | 5 days |
| KJSEA & KPLEA | October 27, 2025 | November 6, 2025 | 9 days |
| KCSE | November 3, 2025 | November 21, 2025 | 3 weeks |
| December Holiday | October 27, 2025 | January 2, 2026 | 10 weeks |
Abbreviations and Meanings
Each term includes a mid-term break. Plan your family activities around these dates to avoid conflicts with school schedules.
Ministry of Education Schedule Adjustments
The ministry has balanced term lengths to improve learning continuity.
National exams now have specific timeframes:
- KCPE: October 27-30, 2025
- KCSE: November 3-28, 2025
Teachers’ training colleges follow a similar schedule to schools. Their term dates match closely with primary and secondary institutions.
The revised calendar aims to maximize teaching time while providing adequate breaks. It factors in public holidays and allows time for marking national exams.
Examination and Holiday Scheduling
The 2025 school year brings important changes to testing schedules and holiday periods.
You’ll find key dates for exams and breaks that will help you plan your year.
Standardized Testing Timelines
KCPE and KCSE exams will take place in November 2025.
The KPSEA for Grade 6 students is set for late October. KJSEA tests for junior secondary learners are planned for early November.
The new KILEA (Kenya Intermediate Level Education Assessment) for Grade 9 will happen in mid-November.
This exam replaces the former KCPE for the competency-based curriculum.
Your school will give you exact dates as the time gets closer. Be sure to mark these in your calendar:
| Exam | Starting | Ending | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| KPSEA | October 27, 2025 | October 30, 2025 | 4 days |
| KILEA | October 27, 2025 | October 31, 2025 | 5 days |
| KJSEA & KPLEA | October 27, 2025 | November 6, 2025 | 9 days |
| KCSE | November 3, 2025 | November 21, 2025 | 3 weeks |
| December Holiday | October 27, 2025 | January 2, 2026 | 10 weeks |
Key Holiday Periods for 2025
You’ll have several breaks throughout the 2025 school year. The main holiday periods are:
- April break: April 5 – April 27, 2025
- August holiday: August 2 – August 24, 2025
- December break: Starts November 1, 2025
There are also shorter mid-term breaks:
- Term 1: February 26 – March 2, 2025
- Term 2: June 19 – June 22, 2025
- Term 3: September 25 – September 28, 2025
Religious holidays like Easter and Eid may affect some school days. Your school will give you more info on these as they approach.
Abbreviations and Meanings
| Abbreviation | Meaning | Grade | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| KPSEA | Kenya Primary School Education Assessment | Grade 6 | Replaces KCPE for CBC learners |
| KILEA | Kenya Intermediate Level Education Assessment | Grade 9 | New exam under CBC, replacing old KCPE format |
| KJSEA | Kenya Junior School Education Assessment | Junior Secondary (Grade 7-9) | Standardized assessment for junior secondary |
| KPLEA | Kenya Pre-Vocational Level Education Assessment | Special Needs Learners | Designed for pre-vocational skills and assessment for learners with special needs |
