NAIROBI – Education Cabinet Secretary (CS) Julius Ogamba has announced the disbursement of Sh44,245,066,500 in capitation funds to support learners in public basic education institutions for the first term of the 2026 academic year.
In a statement issued on Friday, 2nd January 2026, the Ministry provided the detailed breakdown of the allocation as Free Primary Education (Sh3,703,074,646.10), Free Day Junior School Education (Sh14,459,193,520.00), and Free Day Secondary Education (Sh26,082,798,334.75) respectively.
The new term for all basic education learners is scheduled to commence on Monday, 5th January 2026, following the festive season break. However, Grade 10 learners are expected to begin reporting to their respective Senior Schools on 12th January 2026.
CS Ogamba stated that the disbursement is intended to ensure the smooth operation of school activities during the term.
“The government is committed to fulfilling its duty to learners and educational institutions in line with Article 53 of the Constitution, which entitles every child to free and compulsory basic education,” he said while stressing that the official fees payable to senior schools remain unchanged.
To support this commitment, the Ministry released a circular on Friday, 2nd January, outlining a sustainable financing framework for the senior school programme. CS Ogamba clarified that the government will maintain the annual capitation rate of Sh22,244 per learner in these institutions.
Grade 10 Placements
In a related development, the first revision of placements for Grade 10 learners into Senior Schools was completed on 29th December 2025. Learners have been advised to access their joining instructions via the placement portal, which has been active since 30th December at (www.placement.education.go.ke).
However, a window for reviewing school choices will be open from 6th to 9th January 2026. According to the Ministry’s statement, “Parents, guardians and learners will provide legitimate and verifiable grounds to justify a reconsideration of the initial or revised placement.”
Such requests may be initiated either through the learner’s current Junior School or the desired Senior School, with Heads of Institution submitting them through the official placement portal.
“All requests should be duly processed in accordance with the Ministry’s established protocols,” the statement added.
CS Ogamba urged school heads to utilise the public resources prudently and exclusively for the direct benefit of the learners. He firmly directed them to desist from imposing any unauthorised extra levies on parents.
“The Ministry will deal firmly with any verified cases of resource misappropriation or the unlawful imposition of extra levies or fees,” the Ministry emphasised.
romondi99@theeyewatchmedia.co.ke
