Gov't releases Ksh.44B capitation for term one as schools set to reopen on Monday

The Ministry of Education has confirmed that all basic education institutions across the country will reopen for Term One of the 2026 academic year on Monday, January 5, 2026, as the Christmas and New Year festivities come to an end.

In a press statement released on Friday, Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Migos Ogamba announced that the government has disbursed Ksh.44,245,066,500.85 as capitation for the first term, ensuring schools have the resources needed for a smooth start to the academic year.

The allocation has been distributed across various levels of basic education, with Free Primary Education receiving Ksh.3.7 billion, Free Day Junior School Education allocated Ksh.14.5 billion, and Free Day Secondary Education receiving the largest share of Ksh.26.1 billion.

CS Ogamba emphasized that the release of these funds will facilitate the seamless conduct of school activities as institutions open their doors.

“School heads and principals are directed to ensure prudent use of these public resources entrusted to their care for the benefit of learners, and to desist from imposing any extra levies or fees. As a Ministry, we will deal firmly with any verified cases of misappropriation of resources and the imposition of extra levies or fees,” he stated.

The Ministry's field officers, working under the guidance of Regional Directors of Education and County Directors of Education, will monitor adherence to the academic calendar as schools reopen.

For learners transitioning to senior school, the ministry completed the first revision of placements to Grade 10 on December 29, 2025.

Joining instructions for already-placed learners have been accessible on the placement portal since December 30, 2025. Grade 10 learners are expected to report to their respective senior schools starting January 12, 2026.

However, the ministry provided an additional window for placement reviews. Interested learners will have the opportunity to apply for reconsideration of their placements between January 6 and January 9, 2026.

The revision process will allow parents, guardians, and learners to provide legitimate and verifiable grounds to justify a reconsideration of their initial or revised placement.

“In order to ensure unhindered access to education and enhance optimal utilization of available resources while addressing genuine outstanding placement needs, requests for further review may be initiated through the learner’s Junior School or at the Senior School of interest,” noted CS Ogamba.

“The requests shall be submitted by the Head of Institution through the placement 2 portal and duly processed in accordance with the protocols that have already been issued by the ministry.”

CS Ogamba further clarified the financing framework for senior schools, affirming that fees payable by learners remain unchanged.

He said the government will continue to provide capitation at the rate of Ksh.22,244 per learner per year.

The CS also instructed school administrators to desist from imposing any extra levies or fees on parents and guardians, warning that the ministry will deal firmly with any verified cases of misappropriation of resources and the imposition of extra levies or fees.