The Ministry of Education has tightened rules on school activities, including prayer days, prize-giving events and Annual General Meetings (AGM), as institutions enter the 2026 national examination season.

🇰🇪 Breaking It Down

In a fresh circular dated Thursday, September 3, Basic Education Principal Secretary John Ololtuaa reiterated existing restrictions while issuing new instructions on how schools should reorganise several activities going forward.

“To facilitate effective preparation for and administration of these national assessments and examinations and to minimise disruption, the Ministry has deemed it necessary to regulate co-curricular, social and external-engagement activities throughout Third Term and the national assessment and examination period,” the circular stated.

According to the directive, AGMs will have to be held in either First or Second Term instead of Third Term.

📌 What You Need to Know

Prize-giving ceremonies, thanksgiving events and dedicated candidate prayer days have also been moved to Second Term.

Additionally, candidate prayer days involving parents, visitors or other people from outside schools will not be permitted during the examination period.

However, schools may continue regular worship sessions conducted internally by chaplains and teachers.

The ministry has further cancelled annual leave for education officers during the national assessment and examination period.

The circular directed the regional, County and Sub-County Directors of Education to implement the changes, explaining that the restricted activities were singled out to avoid disrupting candidates during a critical period .

This comes as preparations pick up speed, with the Teachers Service Commission (TSC) beginning to select teachers for the 2026 national examinations and assessments.

📰 Source: Kenyans.co.ke