Schools in Kenya are getting ready for the second term half term break with most institutions releasing students on Tuesday, 24th June 2025. According to the Ministry of Education academic calendar, the mid-term break will run from Wednesday, 25th June to Sunday, 29th June and schools will resume learning on Monday, 30th June 2025.
While many secondary schools are releasing learners this week, nursery, primary and junior schools will start their break next week.
The inclusion of half term break for primary schools is a legacy of former Education Cabinet Secretary Amina Mohammed who in 2018 extended the mid-term rest period to younger learners, emphasizing the need for rest and mental rejuvenation across all age groups.
Ball Games Season Heats Up
With the break, Term Two co-curricular activities especially ball games in primary, junior and secondary schools is intensifying. The Ministry of Education recently revised the co-curricular calendar to allow for more participation and harmonization under the Kenya Primary and Junior Schools Sports Association (KPJSSA).
This new body is a result of the merger between Kenya Primary Schools Sports Association (KPSSA) and the newly established junior schools to have unified coordination of sports activities for learners below 15 years.
Eligible Age Groups
- Primary School Learners: Under 12 years
- Junior School Learners: Under 15 years
- Secondary School Learners: Under 18 years (adults strictly prohibited)
Term Two Ball Games
Primary Schools (Under 12 Years)
- Soccer (Boys/Girls)
- Volleyball (Boys/Girls)
- Netball (Boys/Girls)
- Handball (Boys/Girls)
Junior Schools (Under 15 Years)
- Soccer (Boys/Girls)
- Volleyball (Boys/Girls)
- Netball (Boys/Girls)
- Handball (Boys/Girls)
- Basketball 3×3 (Boys/Girls)
Standardized Rules for Ball Games
KPJSSA has issued standardized rules of play for all competitions at local, county and national levels.
1. Equipment Standards
- Volleyball Net Height: 2.24 meters (U12 and U15)
- Netball Post Height: 3.05 meters
- Handball Ball Sizes:
- U12: Size 4
- U15: Size 5
2. Composite Teams
- In regular wins:
- 75% of the team from the winning team
- 25% from other participating schools
- If win is through penalties/sports kicks:
- 50% from the winning team
- 25% from the second-best team
- 25% from others
3. Foreign Player Regulations
- Handball, Netball, Volleyball: 3 foreign players allowed, 2 can play at a time
- Soccer: 5 foreign players allowed, 3 on the field
- Basketball 3×3: 2 foreigners allowed per team, 1 on the court
4. Duration of Play
Soccer
- Primary: 2 x 30 minutes, 10 minutes break
- Junior: 2 x 35 minutes, 10 minutes break
Handball
- Primary: 2 x 20 minutes, 15 minutes break
- Junior: 2 x 25 minutes, 15 minutes break
Netball
- 4 quarters of 10 minutes each
- 5 minutes break between Q1-Q2 and Q3-Q4
- 8-minute halftime between Q2 and Q3
