Govt Bans Parents from Attending School Prayer Days Ahead of National Exams
The Ministry of Education has directed all schools across the country to suspend extracurricular and social activities for the third term, including the popular Prayer Day that usually brings together parents, students, and teachers ahead of final exams.
In a circular released on August 28, Education Principal Secretary Julius Bitok announced that the decision is meant to give students maximum time and focus as they prepare for the upcoming national examinations — the Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) and the Kenya Primary School Education Assessment (KPSEA).
“To ensure that learners are fully focused on their preparation for the national exams and to reduce any form of disruption, the Ministry will enforce strict measures restricting social and extracurricular activities during the third term,” the circular stated.
Exams Timetable
The Ministry confirmed that the KCSE will take place between October 21 and November 21, 2025, while the KPSEA will be held from October 27 to October 29. In addition, the Kenya Junior School Education Assessment (KJSEA) will run from October 27 to November 5.
The Kenya Intermediate Level Education Assessment (KILEA) and the Kenya Primary Literacy Education Assessment (KPLEA) will also take place within the same exam window, running from October 27 to October 30.
Activities Banned
Among the events suspended are Prayer Days, which are normally attended by parents to encourage and bless students before sitting their national exams. Other school functions that will not take place this term include:
- Annual General Meetings (AGMs)
- Prize-giving ceremonies
- Thanksgiving events
- Visiting days
The government explained that all such events will instead be confined to the first and second terms of the school year, leaving the third term strictly for academic preparation and exams.
Prayers Still Allowed in Schools
While parents and visitors will no longer be allowed to attend Prayer Days, PS Bitok clarified that prayer for candidates has not been completely scrapped. He said schools will still conduct prayers, but these will only be led by chaplains and teachers within the school environment.
“There will be no prayer sessions involving parents, outsiders, or external visitors. However, the usual prayers and worship sessions led by chaplains and teachers in schools will continue without any interruption,” he explained.
Extra Measures by the Ministry
The circular also directed that Annual General Meetings and other social gatherings must strictly be done in the first and second terms, not during the final stretch when students are preparing for exams.
In addition, the Ministry announced that officers in the education sector will not be allowed to take annual leave during the exam period, ensuring full supervision and support for schools.
The Ministry has further instructed all school heads to strictly follow these new guidelines as part of the wider effort to safeguard exam integrity, reduce distractions, and ensure smooth preparation for national assessments.
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