The Ministry of Education, (MoE) has formally integrated Chess into the 2026 Calendar of Activities for School Sports and Co-Curricular Events, marking a major milestone in expanding intellectual disciplines within Kenya’s basic education sector.
In a circular dated December 3, 2025, addressed to Regional, County, and Sub-County Directors of Education, the Directorate of Field Coordination and Co-Curricular Activities announced that Chess will now be one of the competitive disciplines during Term Two Games for Primary and Junior Schools.
The move aligns with the Secondary School Term Two calendar, where Chess is already an established discipline.
According to the ministry, the decision was prompted by the growing national and regional recognition of Chess as a strategic and inclusive activity that promotes cognitive development, critical thinking, problem-solving, and decision-making skills among learners.
The ministry noted that Chess continues to gain prominence in East Africa, having been adopted by the East Africa School Sports Association (EASSA) as an official discipline.
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“This inclusion supports the Competency-Based Education (CBE) goals that emphasize nurturing creative thinking and talent pathways for all learners,” the circular states.
All Primary and Junior Schools have now been directed to organize, mobilize, and prepare Chess teams for participation at the Sub-County, County, Regional, and National Term Two championships.
The ministry’s directive signals a new chapter for co-curricular growth, encouraging schools to embrace intellectually enriching activities alongside traditional sports.
Education stakeholders have welcomed the decision, terming it a progressive step toward diversifying learners’ talents and strengthening Kenya’s position in the regional Chess arena.
By Philip Koech
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