In March 2020, the country was hit hard by the novel corona virus (Covid-19) pandemic which led to the closure of many sectors of the economy. Among the most affected sectors was the ministry of education, which was forced to close down all institutions of learning including colleges and universities. The unexpected closure of schools led to a change in the normal school programs arrangement, forcing the Ministry of Education to develop a new school calendar.
The government would later review the measures to allow universities and colleges to continue with their programs as primary and secondary schools remained closed. As a result, primary and secondary schools were most affected as they remained closed for a period of more than 10 months. This led to a complete change in the normal school calendar.
In the normal calendar setting, an academic year for a primary or secondary school should begin in January and end in November. The academic year includes 3 terms Term 1, 2 and 3, 2 mid-term breaks during the first and second term as well as 3 holidays in April, august and December.
The academic year ends with administration of Kenya Certificate of Primary Education (KCPE) for primary schools and Kenya certificate of Secondary Education for Secondary schools. The KCPE is administered within 4 days while the KCSE is completed within a maximum period of one month.
As part of the plans to recover the time spent by students at home during the Covid-19 pandemic, the ministry of education reviewed the arrangements for normal school calendar to shorten the academic year and hasten the process of teaching and administration of examinations.
The ministry came up with a new school calendar that took effect in January 2021 and is set to be completed in December 2023. This means that the normal school calendar shall resume officially in January 2024.
Here is the new school calendar and term dates as directed by the ministry of education led by prof George Magoha.
1. Term 2 and 3 (2020 Academic Year) schedules for continuing learners (PP 1 & 2, Grade 1, 2 and 3, Class 5, 6 and 7, and Form 1, 2 and 3.)
• Term 2- 04 January 2021 to 19 March 2021(11 Weeks)
• Holiday- 20 March 2021 to 09 May 2021(7 weeks)
• Term 3- 10 May 2021 to 16 July 2021(10 weeks)
• Mid-term- 03 Jun 2021 to 07 June 2021(3 days)
• Holiday– 17 July 2021 to 25 July 2021(1 Week)
2. Academic Year 2021 school calendar.
• Term 1– 25 July 2021 to 01 October 2021 (10 Weeks)
• Mid-Term Break- 26 August 2021 to 29 August 2021 (3 Days)
• Holiday- 02 October to 10 October 2021 (1 Week)
• Term 2- 11 October 2021 to 23 December 2021 (11 Weeks)
• Christmas Holiday- 24 December to 02 January 2022 (10 Days)
• Term 3- 03 January 2021 to 04 March 2021 (9 Weeks)
• KCPE- 07 March 2022 to 10 March 2022 (4 Days)
• KCSE- 11 March 2022 to 01 April 2022 (22 Days)
• KCSE Marking- 04 April 2022 to 22 April 2022 (3 Weeks)
Note: Form 1 reporting date 2021 academic year- 02 August 2021.
See Also: Form One Reporting Dates 2021 Announced
3. Academic year 2022 Calendar and Term Dates
• Term 1– 25 April 2022 to o1 July 2022 (10 Weeks)
• Mid-Term break- 26 May 2022 to 29 May 2022 (3 Days)
• Holiday- 02 July 2022 to 10 July 2022 (1 Week)
• Term 2- 11 July 2022 to 16 September 2022 (10 Weeks)
• Mid-Term Break– 11 August 2022 to 14 August 2022 (3 Days)
• Holiday- 17 September 2022 to 25 September 2022 (1 Week)
• Term 3– 26 September 2022 to 25 November 2022 (9 Weeks)
• KCPE- 28 November 2022 to 01 December 2022 (4 Days)
• KCSE- 01 December 2022 to 23 December 2022 (22 Days)
• KCSE Marking– 02 January 2023 to 20 January 2023 (3 Weeks)
4. Academic Year 2023 Term Dates.
• Term 1– 23 January 2023 to 21 April 2023 (13 Weeks)
• Mid-Term Break– 23 March 2023 to 26 March 2023 (3 Days)
• Holiday– 22 April 2023 to 07 May 2023 (2 weeks)
• Term 2– 08 May 2023 to 11 August 2023 (13 Weeks)
• Mid-Term Break- 29 June 2023 to 02 July 2023 (3 Days)
• Holiday– 12 August to 27 August 2023 (2 Weeks)
• Term 3– 28 August 2023 to 03 November 2023 (10 Weeks)
• KCPE– 06 November 2023 to 09 November 2023 (4 Days)
• KCSE– 10 November 2023 to 01 DECEMBER 2023 (22 Days)
• KCSE Marking- 04 December 2023 to 22 December 2023 (3 Weeks)
See Also: List of International Schools in Kenya 2021
The current school calendar was developed by the Ministry of Education in a modified or tightened schedule to cover up for the time lost during the first wave of covid-19 that saw learners stay home for a period of 10 months. During this time, a lot of learners indulged themselves into immoral and illegal activities.
Many school boys sank into drug and substance abuse while girls were introduced to early sexual activity that saw many school girls get early pregnancies. An estimated 20,000 learners failed to return to school after the unplanned ‘Corona Holiday’ due to various reasons.
The Ministry of Education is Hopeful of never closing down schools again as far as Covid-19 is a matter of concern. This is a viable resolution as the effects of schools’ closure are more detrimental than it was expected. It was also suggested that children would be safer in schools than at home since when children are at home, they are more exposed to the virus than when in school.
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