NAIROBI, Kenya — The Ministry of Education has banned all extracurricular and social activities in schools during the Third Term to allow candidates to focus entirely on national examinations.
In a circular to all Regional, County, and Sub-County Directors of Education, Principal Secretary for Basic Education, Dr. Julius Bitok, stated that the directive is intended to minimize disruptions during the examination season.
The Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) examinations will take place from October 21 to November 21, 2025.
Other assessments, including the Kenya Junior School Education Assessment (KJSEA), Kenya Integrated Learning and Education Assessment (KILEA), Kenya Primary Learners Education Assessment (KPLEA), and Kenya Primary School Education Assessment (KPSEA), are scheduled between October 27 and November 5, 2025.
“To enhance focus on effective preparation for national examinations and assessments, and to minimize disruptions, the Ministry shall implement strict controls on extra-curricular and social activities during the Third Term,” the circular reads.
The banned activities include prayer sessions involving parents and external guests, Annual General Meetings (AGMs), prize-giving ceremonies, and thanksgiving events.
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However, Dr. Bitok clarified that routine prayers and worship led by chaplains and teachers within schools will continue uninterrupted.
“There shall be no prayer sessions for candidates involving parents, outsiders, or external visitors. However, regular prayer and worship activities conducted by school chaplains and teachers within the school community shall remain unaffected,” he stated.
The Ministry has directed that AGMs, prize-giving, thanksgiving, and dedicated prayer days for candidates must be scheduled for the First or Second Terms of the academic year.
The government has also suspended the annual leave for all officers during the examination period to ensure full supervision and support for the exercise.
