No prayer days and prize-givings in third term, Ministry says

PS Basic Education Julius Bitok before the National Assembly's Education committee at Bunge Towers, Parliament, Nairobi. May 13, 2025. [Elvis Ogina, Standard]

The Ministry of Education has outlawed all social and extracurricular activities in schools during the third term to allow candidates to focus fully on their national examinations.

In a circular dated August 27, 2025, Principal Secretary for Basic Education, Amb. (Prof.) Julius K. Bitok, directed regional, county, and sub-county education officials to enforce the ban, noting that the final school term is crucial for examinations and assessments.

"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 Ministry shall implement strict controls on extra-curricular and social activities during the Third Term," Bitok said.

Among the measures announced is a ban on prayer sessions involving parents, outsiders, and external visitors.

Only prayers led by chaplains and teachers within the school community will be allowed.

Annual General Meetings (AGMs), prize-giving days, thanksgiving events, and dedicated prayer days for candidates have also been scrapped in the term.

"Such activities shall be conducted exclusively during the First and Second Terms of the school calendar year," the PS added.

In addition, the Ministry has cancelled annual leave for education officers during the examination period to ensure smooth administration of the tests.

The ban comes as the Kenya National Examinations Council (KNEC) finalises its timetable for the 2025 national examinations.

The Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) examinations will start on October 21 and run until November 21, 2025.

The Kenya Junior Secondary Education Assessment (KJSEA) will be administered from October 27 to November 5, while the Kenya Intermediate Level Education Assessment (KILEA) will take place between October 27 and October 30.

At the same time, the Kenya Primary Literacy and Education Assessment (KPLEA) is scheduled for October 27 to October 30, whereas the Kenya Primary School Education Assessment (KPSEA) will be conducted from October 27 to October 29.

The Ministry has urged schools to strictly comply with the directive and focus on helping candidates revise for their upcoming examinations