Eugine Wabwile Juma 
Education CS Julius Ogamba when he appeared before the National Assembly's Education Committee on August 5, 2026. Photo Parliament
TANDAO MEDIA NEWS
The Ministry of Education has moved to restrict school activities such as prayer days, prize-giving ceremonies and Annual General Meetings (AGMs) as the country prepares for the 2026 national examinations. In a circular released on Thursday, September 3, Basic Education Principal Secretary John Ololtuaa directed schools to reorganize their calendars to minimise disruptions during the critical exam period.
“To facilitate effective preparation for and administration of these national assessments and examinations and to minimise disruption, the Ministry has deemed it necessary to regulate co-curricular, social and external-engagement activities throughout Third Term and the national assessment and examination period,” the circular stated.
Under the new rules, AGMs will now be held in First or Second Term instead of Third Term, while prize-giving and thanksgiving events have been shifted to Second Term. Candidate prayer days involving parents or external visitors will not be permitted during the examination period, although schools may continue regular worship sessions led internally by chaplains and teachers. The Ministry has also cancelled annual leave for education officers during the exam season to ensure full staffing.
Regional, County and Sub-County Directors of Education have been tasked with enforcing the changes. The directive comes as the Teachers Service Commission begins selecting teachers to oversee the exams, while Curriculum Support Officers compile candidate details. Sub-County Directors have been instructed to submit qualified Centre Managers, Supervisors and Invigilators through the Kenya National Examinations Council’s CP2 online portal by late September.
The Kenya Primary School Education Assessment (KPSEA) will run from October 26 to 28, alongside the Kenya Junior School Education Assessment (KJSEA) and Kenya Intermediate Level Education Assessment (KILEA) from October 26 to 30. The Kenya Pre-Vocational Level Education Assessment is scheduled for October 26 to 29, while the Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) will take place from October 19 to November 20.
The Ministry emphasised that the measures are designed to safeguard exam integrity and ensure candidates remain focused during the high-stakes assessment period.
