CS Ogamba Affirms August 24 School Reopening, Dispels Delay Rumours
Education CS Julius Ogamba confirms schools and teacher training colleges will reopen on August 24 as scheduled, dismissing social media rumours of postponement.
By John Mtongoi Newsroom
August 19, 2026
2 min read
Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Ogamba has reaffirmed that the 2026 third term for basic education institutions and Teacher Training Colleges will commence on August 24, dismissing circulating misinformation suggesting otherwise.
In a statement released on August 19, CS Ogamba clarified that the academic calendar remains unchanged despite misleading reports on social media.
Term Dates and Examination Schedule
- Basic education schools will run their third term from August 24 until October 23, 2026.
- Teacher Training Colleges will also resume on August 24, with their term ending on November 6, 2026.
- National assessments and examinations will proceed as per the Kenya National Examinations Council timetable.
School Hours and Reporting Times
Addressing concerns about school operating hours, CS Ogamba stated that both public and private institutions offering full-day programmes should operate Monday through Friday, with lessons from 8:00 am to 3:30 pm followed by co-curricular activities until 4:45 pm.
He emphasized that learners should not be required to report earlier than 7:15 am, as stipulated under Regulation 84, subsection 2 of the Basic Education Regulations 2015. The period before 8:00 am is intended for students to settle in before lessons begin.
This clarification comes amid reports of some schools demanding student arrival as early as 5:00 am for remedial sessions or chores, which the Ministry advises against.
Call for Reliance on Official Information
CS Ogamba urged parents, teachers, learners, and the general public to rely solely on official Ministry channels and field officers for accurate updates on the academic calendar, warning against unofficial sources that spread confusion.
