The ministry of education has published the latest school calendar for primary schools, high schools, and tertiary institutions. Check out the opening, midterms, closing, and national exam dates.
Term 1, 2023 will start on January 23, 2023, and will last for 13 weeks, with schools closing on April 21, 2023.
Half-term or midterm breaks for Term 1, 2023 will start on March 16, 2023, and last three days up to March 19, 2023.
The closing date for Term 1 2023 will be April 22, 2023, with the holiday lasting for two weeks until May 7, 2023.
Term 2 2023 will start on May 8, 2023, and last 14 weeks until August 8, 2023.
Midterm or half-term break for Term 2 2023 will begin on June 29 and last three days until July 2, 2023.
The closing date for Term 2 2023 will be on August 12, 2023, with the holiday lasting for two weeks until August 27, 2023.
Term 2, 2023 will be the longest academic period in 2023 with 14 weeks and most curricular and co-curricular events such as games, tours, and visits, will take place during the period.
Term 3, 2023 will begin on August 28, 2023, and last nine weeks until October 27, 2023.
Term 3 will be the shortest in 2023 with just over 2 months (9 weeks) and therefore will not have a midterm break.
2023 KCPE and KPSEA Exam dates
The 2023 Kenya Certificate of Primary Education (KCPE) and Kenya Primary School Education Assessment (KPSEA) exams will be held this term from October 30 and will last four days until November 2, 2023.
2023 KCSE Exam dates
The 2023 Kenya Certificate of Secondary Examinations (KCSE) will start on November 3, 2023, and last three weeks until November 24, 2023.
2023 KCSE Marking and Results
The marking of the 2023 KCSE exams will start on November 27, 2023, and proceed for three weeks until December 15, 2023.
As usual, KCSE exams will be announced before the Christmas Holiday.
Parents should support their children and reassure them all will be well regardless of the outcome of the results.
| Event | Start/Opening Date | End/Closing Date | Period/Length |
| Term 1, 2023 | January 23, 2023 | April, 21, 2023 | 13 Weeks |
| Mid-term/Half term break | March 16, 2023 | March 19, 2023 | 3 Days |
| Term 1, 2023 Holiday | April 22, 2023 | May 7, 2023 | 2 Weeks |
| Term 2, 2023 | May 8, 2023 | August 11, 2023 | 14 Weeks |
| Mid-term/Half-term break | June 29, 2023 | July 2, 2023 | 3 Days |
| Term 2, 2023 Holiday break | August 12, 2023 | August 27, 2023 | 2 Weeks |
| Term 3 | August 28, 2023 | October 27, 2023 | 9 Weeks |
| KCPE/KPSEA Exams | October 30, 2023 | November 2, 2023 | 4 Days |
| KCSE National Exams | November 3, 2023 | November 24, 2023 | 21 Days |
| KCSE Marking | November 27, 2023 | December 15, 2023 | 21 Days |
While most teachers will also be on holiday during KCSE exams, some might be called upon to help with setting up practical labs or performing other duties.
However, this is a source of conflict between many school heads and teachers and the school guidelines on teachers' presence during KCSE examinations do not fully address the conflict.
Therefore, both parties should prepare in advance for any surprises and keep an open mind.
