Secondary schools across Kenya are set to close for a 10-week break starting this week, signaling the beginning of the KCSE examination season. The Kenya National Examinations Council (KNEC) will officially begin administering the 2025 Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) exams on Friday, marking a critical phase in the country’s education calendar.
The move will see thousands of students head home as their schools are transformed into examination centres for the over one million candidates expected to sit for this year’s national exams. The long break is also part of the government’s effort to stabilize the school calendar following years of adjustment.
Highlights
- All secondary schools to close for a 10-week break ahead of the 2025 KCSE exams.
- KNEC begins administering KCSE examinations on Friday.
- Over one million candidates expected to sit for the national exam.
- Teachers to take part as invigilators, supervisors, and examiners.
- Schools to reopen in January 2026 for the new academic year.
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The Ministry of Education has announced that all secondary schools will officially close this week for a 10-week holiday, allowing KNEC and education officials to prepare for the KCSE examinations. The directive applies to all non-candidate learners who will remain at home while candidates continue with the exam period that will last through November and December.
The extended break comes as part of an adjusted academic schedule meant to return the school calendar to its regular January-to-November cycle. According to education officials, the break will also provide time for institutions to carry out maintenance, cleaning, and reorganization after an intense year.
School principals have been directed to release learners in phases to prevent overcrowding on travel routes and ensure smooth transportation home. Parents have been advised to make necessary arrangements for their children’s safety as they travel.
“The 10-week holiday is intended to facilitate the KCSE examination period while giving our learners and teachers the opportunity to rest and prepare for the upcoming academic year,” said an official from the Ministry of Education.
The Kenya National Examinations Council (KNEC) has finalized all necessary logistics to ensure a smooth and secure examination period. Exam papers have already been transported to secure storage facilities across the country, each under heavy surveillance and guarded by police officers.
More than 1.2 million candidates are expected to sit for the 2025 KCSE exams in over 10,000 exam centres nationwide. KNEC has deployed thousands of invigilators, supervisors, security officers, and marking personnel to oversee the process.
Each exam centre will adhere to strict security measures, including digital tracking of exam materials, restricted access to storage containers, and verification of candidates’ details. The council has also integrated technology to monitor the movement of examination papers from depots to schools in real time.
“Every step of this process is designed to protect the integrity of the exam and ensure that every candidate is given a fair opportunity,” said a senior KNEC officer.
The exams are expected to run until mid-December, after which marking will begin in selected centres around the country.
While students go home, teachers will remain engaged in the examination exercise. The Teachers Service Commission (TSC) has seconded thousands of tutors to serve as invigilators, supervisors, and centre managers.
Head teachers and principals will coordinate exam logistics within their institutions, ensuring that all exam rooms meet KNEC standards for seating arrangements, spacing, and security.
Once the exams conclude, selected teachers will be deployed for the marking exercise, expected to begin in December and continue into January. The marking process will involve examiners drawn from both public and private schools across the country.
The 10-week break has raised concern among parents and education experts about how students will spend their time away from school. With such a long holiday, many fear that learners could lose academic focus or engage in risky behaviour if left unsupervised.
Parents are being encouraged to keep their children occupied through structured activities, such as mentorship programs, holiday tuition, or vocational training.
“The long break should not be wasted. Parents must take charge and ensure that learners are engaged in productive activities that enhance their growth and character,” said a school counsellor in Nairobi.
Several county governments and youth organizations have also announced plans to hold mentorship sessions and community-based programs targeting secondary school learners.
For KCSE candidates, this week marks the culmination of a four-year academic journey. Many are now spending their last days in school reviewing past papers, attending revision clinics, and participating in motivation sessions led by teachers, alumni, and religious leaders.
Schools across the country have been organizing prayer days to spiritually and emotionally prepare candidates for the exam season. Guidance counsellors have also been offering sessions on time management, stress control, and exam confidence.
“This is the most important test of our lives so far. We are nervous but prepared. Our teachers have done their best to get us ready,” said one candidate from Murang’a County.
Teachers have been urged to provide moral support and maintain close supervision of candidates during the exam period to minimize anxiety and prevent exam malpractice.
The government has stepped up security measures around all examination centres to ensure the KCSE runs without disruptions. Police officers have been deployed to escort exam materials and guard schools throughout the period.
In addition to physical security, KNEC has implemented digital tracking systems that record the movement of examination materials from storage containers to exam halls and back, minimizing opportunities for leakage or tampering.
Education Cabinet officials have reiterated the government’s zero-tolerance stance on exam cheating, warning that any individual whether student, teacher, or official caught engaging in malpractice will face severe penalties.
“The law is clear. Cheating or aiding in cheating is a serious offense that can result in disqualification and prosecution,” a Ministry of Education representative said.
As preparations enter the final phase, education stakeholders are calling for calm and discipline during the entire exam period. County directors of education have urged parents to avoid visiting schools during exams and to trust the process.
Teachers have also asked students to remain focused and avoid distractions such as mobile phones, social media, or unnecessary conversations that might cause anxiety.
“This is not just an academic test but a character test. It’s the moment to show discipline, honesty, and maturity,” said a principal from Kisumu County.
Once the KCSE examinations conclude in December, the marking process will begin immediately. Thousands of teachers will report to designated marking centres across the country to assess scripts in preparation for the release of results early next year.
After the long holiday, schools are expected to reopen in January 2026, ushering in a new academic year that will mark a full return to the regular school calendar.
Education analysts have described the 10-week break as a much-needed rest for students and teachers after a fast-paced academic year that included adjustments to recover from previous disruptions.
“This period gives everyone from learners to teachers and parents the time to rest, reflect, and reset for a more stable education environment,” said an education analyst based in Nairobi.
As the KCSE exam season begins, the nation’s attention turns to the candidates who will soon take one of the most important tests of their academic lives.
The outcome of the KCSE will not only determine their next academic or career paths but also reflect the resilience of Kenya’s education system — one that continues to adapt and thrive despite challenges.
“For our candidates, this is your moment. Stay calm, stay focused, and believe in your preparation,” said a motivational message shared by a school principal in Eldoret.
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As schools close and exam papers are unsealed, Kenya’s focus turns to its young learners a generation whose determination, resilience, and integrity will define the nation’s future. The next 10 weeks will test not just knowledge, but the spirit of discipline that education stands for.
