REPUBLIC OF KENYA
MINISTRY OF EDUCATION
STATE DEPARTMENT FOR BASIC EDUCATION
Ref: MOE.HQS/3/2/5
August 27, 2025
Regional Directors of Education
County Directors of Education
Sub-County Directors of Education
RE: BAN ON SOCIAL ACTIVITIES IN THIRD TERM
The Third Term is designated as an examination season where students make final preparations and sit for various examinations and assessments.
To this end, the Kenya National Examinations Council has released timetables for the various examinations as follows:-
- The KCSE Examinations start on 27th October and end on 21st November 2025
- KJSEA Examinations start on 27th October and end on 5th November 2025
- KILEA Examinations start on 27th October and end on 30th October 2025
- KPLEA Examinations start on 27th October and end on 30th October 2025
- KPSEA Examinations start on 27th October and end on 29th October 2025
To enhance focus on effective preparation for national examinations/ assessments and minimize disruptions, the Ministry shall implement strict controls on extra-curricular and social activities during Third Term.
Consequently, the following measures shall be enforced:-
1) 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.
2) Activities such as Annual General Meetings (AGMs) shall be scheduled and conducted exclusively during the First and Second Terms of the school calendar year.
3) Prize giving ceremonies, thanksgiving events, and dedicated prayer days for candidates shall be held during the Second Term.
4) Annual leave for officers during the examination period is hereby cancelled.
Kindly, acquaint all the schools within your jurisdiction with this circular.
Amb. (Prof.) Julius K. Bitok, CBS
PRINCIPAL SECRETARY
Copy to:
Hon. Julius Ogamba Migos
Cabinet Secretary
Ministry of Education
Jogoo House ‘B’, Harambee Avenue
NAIROBI
Ms. E. J. Mitei
Ag. Commission Secretary/Chief Executive Officer
Teachers Service Commission – TSC
TSC House, Kilimanjaro Avenue
NAIROBI
Tsc needs to be sensitive to frustrations of the Deputy Principles who were appointed in 2010 but still serving as Deputies l believe that they have the data
But it is not absolutely right to block prayers prior to examination. It has been a tradition over years and it is part of motivation and preparing the candidates to face the task a head of them . Pabllic participation has not been given a chance and as a perent I condem this kind of dictatorship.
I think the kids need motivation from parents and religious leaders. Why ban such important people to see the kids??
What about PP2 Graduations??
To the Principal Ukia Girls Wote How do you send home a form four candidate because of unpaid harambee money meant to construct dinning hall and printing papers. My niece has been forced to stay home because of kes.4,000.00……kes.2,000 for harambee and kes.2,000 for printing papers. They have been including kes.2,000 from Jan 2025 every term for harambee to construct a dinning hall. They also include kes.1,000 every term for printing papers. This is a candidate for Gods sake, how does construction of a dinning hall make a student miss classes and here we are talking of best performance in schools. The girls parents are jobless and they get assistance from the grandma from the little she gets from farming. She has been home since last week and hopes to return her to school are fading not to mention the cost of transport from home to school and back. This is the second incidence from last years when she was send home to get Kes 2,000 for printing papers, she used kes.1,500 to and from school as transport yet the school administration does not pick parents calls incase such issues arise. This is the wrong time to keep candidates home. Please act urgently
Because she has to clear with the school.
Their rights to be given certificates after exams.
Who covers for the unpaid arrears?