2025 Ministry of Education Academic Calendar Released: Term Dates and Holidays.
The Ministry of Education has unveiled the 2025 academic calendar, outlining key dates for school terms, half-term breaks, and national examinations.
The schedule, issued by the Principal Secretary of Basic Education, indicates that Term 1 will commence on January 6, 2025, and conclude on April 4 after 13 weeks.
During Term 1, students will enjoy a five-day midterm break from February 26 to March 2. A three-week holiday will follow the term, running from April 7 to April 25.
For Term 2, schools will reopen on April 28 for a 14-week session that ends on August 1. Students will break for five days between June 25 and June 29, followed by a three-week holiday from August 4 to August 22.
Term 3 will begin on August 25 and last for nine weeks, concluding on October 24. This term will precede the national examinations scheduled for later in the year.
National Examinations Schedule
According to the calendar, most national assessments will commence on October 27, except for the Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE), which will run from November 23 to November 29.
The Kenya Primary School Education Assessment (KPSEA) will span five days, ending on October 30, while the Kenya Intermediate Level Education Assessment (KILEA) will conclude on October 31 after five days of testing.
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Meanwhile, the Kenya Junior School Education Assessment (KJSEA) and the Kenya Prevocational Level Education Assessment (KPLEA) will take nine days, wrapping up on November 6.
December holidays will coincide with the start of national exams on October 27 and will extend until January 2, 2026.
Readiness for Grade 9 Learners
Government officials have assured parents that 11,000 new classrooms will be completed by December to accommodate Grade 9 learners.
Over 1.3 million students, who are part of the pioneering cohort of the Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC), will transition to their final year of junior school in 2025.
This group will undertake the inaugural Kenya Intermediate Level Education Assessment (KILEA) as a pathway to Senior School.
The Ministry emphasized that the preparations align with its commitment to ensuring a smooth progression for learners under the CBC system.
2025 Academic Term Dates and Holidays
| Term | Opening | Closing | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| Term 1 | January 6, 2025 | April 4, 2025 | 13 Weeks |
| Half Term | 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 | 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 |
National Examination Schedule
| Exam | Start Date | End Date | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kenya Primary School Education Assessment (KPSEA) | October 27, 2025 | October 30, 2025 | 5 days |
| Kenya Intermediate Level Education Assessment (KILEA) | October 27, 2025 | October 31, 2025 | 5 days |
| Kenya Junior School Education Assessment (KJSEA) | October 27, 2025 | November 6, 2025 | 9 days |
| Kenya Prevocational Level Education Assessment (KPLEA) | October 27, 2025 | November 6, 2025 | 9 days |
| Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) | November 23, 2025 | November 29, 2025 | 7 days |
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Preparations for Grade 9
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| New Classrooms | 11,000 new classrooms to be completed by December 2024. |
| Number of Learners | Over 1.3 million Grade 9 students transitioning to the final year of Junior School. |
| Key Assessment | Learners will sit the inaugural KILEA for transition to Senior School. |
2025 Ministry of Education Academic Calendar Released: Term Dates and Holidays.
