The Ministry of Education has moved to end confusion over the 2026 Term III calendar, confirming that schools will reopen on August 24 despite misleading messages circulating online.
Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Migos Ogamba said the approved academic calendar remains unchanged for basic education institutions and Teacher Training Colleges, warning parents, teachers and learners against relying on unverified social media reports.
Parents, teachers and learners should ignore unverified calendar changes, prepare for August 24 reopening and rely exclusively on official Ministry communication for updates.
Schools to Reopen on August 24 Under Approved Calendar
The Ministry issued the clarification on Wednesday, August 19, after reports circulated across social media claiming that the government had changed the Term III reopening dates.
The reports triggered uncertainty among parents, learners, teachers and school administrators who were preparing for the final term of the 2026 academic year.
The Ministry, however, said there had been no change to the approved calendar and confirmed that basic education institutions will reopen on Monday, August 24.
Under the existing schedule, Term III will run from August 24 to October 23, giving schools a defined period to complete the academic year and prepare learners for scheduled national assessments and examinations.
The clarification means parents and learners should proceed with preparations for reopening without expecting an extension of the August holiday.
Teacher Training Colleges Have a Longer Term
Teacher Training Colleges will also reopen on August 24, but their academic calendar will run beyond that of basic education institutions.
According to the Ministry, TTCs will close on November 6, 2026.
The difference in closing dates reflects the separate academic calendar applicable to teacher training institutions, although both categories of institutions will begin the final term on the same date.
The Ministry said the approved dates remain in force and urged education stakeholders to plan accordingly rather than rely on unofficial notices circulating online.
National Examinations Will Proceed as Scheduled
The Ministry also moved to reassure candidates and schools that national assessments and examinations have not been affected by the reports of changes to the school calendar.
Ogamba confirmed that national assessments and examinations will proceed according to the timetable issued by the Kenya National Examinations Council.
The announcement means schools and candidates should continue preparing for examinations and assessments based on the existing KNEC schedule.
Term III remains a critical period for learners because it brings the academic year to a close while accommodating major national assessments and examinations.
The Ministry did not announce any changes to the examination timetable or the dates already communicated to schools.
Ministry Warns Against Unverified Social Media Reports
The government has urged parents, teachers, learners and the wider public to treat unofficial education notices circulating online with caution.
Ogamba directed education stakeholders to rely on official Ministry communication channels and field officers when seeking information about school calendars, examinations and other education matters.
The warning highlights the growing challenge faced by government agencies as misleading notices spread rapidly through social media platforms and messaging applications.
For thousands of families preparing for the new term, the Ministry’s clarification provides a clear message. Schools reopen on August 24, 2026, and there has been no approved change to the Term III calendar.
