Education Ministry bans social activities in schools ahead of exams
According to the timetable, KCSE will run from October 21 to November 21, 2025, while KJSEA, KILEA, KPLEA, and KPSEA are scheduled between October 27 and October 30, 2025.
The Ministry of Education has suspended all social and extracurricular activities in schools during the Third Term of the 2025 academic year to allow students to concentrate on preparing for national examinations.
In a circular issued on Thursday, Basic Education Principal Secretary Julius Bitok said the ban will apply to prayer sessions, social gatherings and other non-academic events, which he noted could interfere with candidates during the critical period.
“The restrictions have been put in place to help students focus on preparing for these exams without disruptions,” Bitok said.
The Third Term is traditionally reserved for examinations and will this year host several key national assessments. These include the Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE), the Kenya Junior Secondary Education Assessment (KJSEA), the Kenya Integrated Learning Examinations (KILEA), the Kenya Primary Leaving Examinations (KPLEA), and the Kenya Primary School Education Assessment (KPSEA).
According to the timetable, KCSE will run from October 21 to November 21, 2025, while KJSEA, KILEA, KPLEA, and KPSEA are scheduled between October 27 and October 30, 2025.
On matters of prayer, the circular directed that schools will not organise special prayer events involving parents, external guests or outsiders. Only routine prayers and worship led by chaplains and teachers within the school community will continue.
Bitok also stated that Annual General Meetings (AGMs) and similar forums will be allowed only in the First and Second Terms. Prize-giving ceremonies, thanksgiving events and other social functions will remain confined to the Second Term.
Teachers and education officers engaged in administering national examinations have also been directed to remain on duty throughout the testing period.
“Annual leave for officers engaged in the administration of exams has been cancelled for the affected period,” the PS said.
The ministry has urged all schools to strictly observe the guidelines, noting they are intended to secure the academic success of learners.
“These steps are intended to allow students to focus entirely on their studies as they prepare for their respective exams,” Bitok said.
He further directed school administrators and education stakeholders to communicate the changes to all concerned and make the necessary adjustments to their schedules. The policy, he added, is aimed at delivering a smooth and disruption-free examination season.
