Government bans all social activities in schools during Third Term ahead of 2025 National Exams

Basic Education Principal Secretary Julius Bitok has suspended all social and extracurricular activities in schools during the third term of 2025 to ensure learners remain fully focused on national examinations.

The ban, which extends to prayer days, visiting days, half-term breaks, sports competitions, prize-giving ceremonies and annual general meetings, will affect both primary and secondary schools across the country. The ministry, however, clarified that internal prayers and worship sessions conducted by school chaplains or teachers will continue, but external prayer services involving parents, clergy or visitors will not be allowed.

Speaking while outlining the examination calendar, PS Bitok explained that the restrictions are designed to minimise disruptions, enhance security and safeguard the integrity of national examinations. The policy has been in force since 2021, but the ministry emphasised that it will be strictly enforced this year given the high stakes involved.

The Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) examinations are scheduled to run from October 21 to November 21, 2025.

Meanwhile, learners in primary and junior schools will sit for the Kenya Primary School Education Assessment (KPSEA), the Kenya Junior School Education Assessment (KJSEA), the Kenya Integrated Learning and Education Assessment (KILEA) and the Kenya Primary Learners Education Assessment (KPLEA) between October 27 and November 5, 2025.