Ministry of Education revises third term closing dates

Ministry of Education (MoE) has revised the term 3 closing dates for primary and secondary schools across the nation. These changes come as part of a strategic move to accommodate the upcoming Kenya National Examinations Council (KNEC) examinations and ensure the smooth running of the education calendar.

Initially, the ministry had slated the closing date for schools to be October 27, 2023. However, sources have revealed that the new closing date will be October 19, 2023. This alteration means that pre-primary, primary, and secondary schools will start sending students home for a holiday a full eight days earlier than previously announced.

The decision to modify the closing date is particularly significant because term 3 is the shortest of the academic terms and holds critical importance due to the imminent national examinations. In an unexpected turn of events, learners will not be granted a mid-term break during this term, emphasizing the urgency and focus required for their preparations.

For students who will not be taking part in the national examinations, their extended holiday will stretch until January 8, 2024. This revised schedule allows for ample time for both examination candidates and non-candidates to enjoy their well-deserved break.

The Grade Six and Standard Eight candidates, who are set to undertake the Kenya Primary School Examinations (KPSEA) and Kenya Certificate of Primary Education (KCPE) exams, respectively, will have a busy schedule from October 30 to November 2, 2023. This four-day period is crucial for these learners as they put their knowledge and skills to the test.

Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) examinations will commence on November 3 and continue until November 24, 2023. This term marks a historic moment as it represents the last cohort of KCPE students under the 8-4-4 system. This system has now been replaced by the 2-6-3-3-3 Competency-Based Curriculum, reflecting the ever-evolving landscape of education in Kenya.

Data from the Kenya National Examination Council (KNEC) reveals that approximately 2.3 million candidates are set to take this year’s KCPE and KCSE examinations. Specifically, 1,415,315 candidates will participate in the KCPE exams, while an additional 903,260 students will undertake the KCSE exams. This staggering number underlines the magnitude of these examinations and the immense responsibility borne by education authorities.

To ensure the smooth execution of these examinations, KNEC CEO David Njengere has confirmed the completion of preparations for the candidates. This includes the meticulous organization of 1,282,574 Grade Six learners who will be sitting for the KPSEA.

Furthermore, logistics play a pivotal role in these examinations, and a total of 1,143 containers will be utilized for the 2023 KCSE, KCPE, and KPSEA exams. Specifically, 576 distribution centers or containers will house KPSEA and KCPE examinations, while 567 containers will be designated for the distribution of KCSE papers.

Teachers Service Commission (TSC) has also played a significant role in this process by vetting a total of 223,223 teachers to serve as supervisors and invigilators for the 2023 national exams. Moreover, 37,731 teachers have been vetted to act as examiners for this year’s national examinations, highlighting the collective effort required to ensure the integrity and fairness of the examinations.

As the examinations draw near, the nation can expect a flurry of activity to ensure that everything runs seamlessly. Starting on November 27, teachers will embark on the crucial task of marking the examination papers, a process that will run until December 15, 2023. This dedicated effort by educators is essential to providing timely and accurate results to the candidates.