Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Ogamba has dismissed reports claiming that the government has increased boarding fees for public senior secondary schools.
In a statement issued on Thursday, Ogamba clarified that the current fee structure remains unchanged, even as the government prepares to introduce a standardised school fee system starting January 2026.
“Our attention has been drawn to reports in sections of the media to the effect that boarding fees payable by learners in public senior schools have been revised upwards,” he said.
“Parents, learners and the general public are hereby notified that there has been no revision of boarding fees, or any other fees, payable by learners.”
The clarification comes shortly after the Ministry of Education released new guidelines introducing a uniform annual boarding fee of Ksh 53,000 for all public senior secondary schools from next year. The changes also abolish the old classification system; national, extra-county, county, and sub-county, placing all senior schools under one category to promote fairness and simplify funding.
The policy dictates that every senior school will have the same level and, therefore, the same fee structure. It is a way of addressing financing in education, making it more equal across the country on an ongoing basis.
Ogamba reaffirmed the government’s commitment to fund education through the existing capitation program.
“The Government will continue to fulfil its constitutional duty of providing capitation for learners in senior school. The approved rate of capitation for this level of education remains Ksh 22,244 per learner per year,” he said.
This capitation will offset part of the Ksh 53,000 annual boarding fee, easing the financial strain on parents and guardians.
The new education framework also introduces key operational changes. The senior schools will adopt a seven-subject curriculum, incorporate community service learning, and a daily timetable of eight lessons of 40 minutes each. Schools must also ensure that no learner is sent away unaccompanied after 9 a.m.
In addition, the standards ensure accountability through stricter financial audits and involve students and parents more in the management of schools.
These reforms come amidst preparations for the transition of Grade 9 learners, whose placement guidelines are expected to be released upon the announcement of results from the Kenya Junior Secondary Education Assessment.
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