The government has released Sh44.24 billion in capitation funds to public basic education institutions ahead of the opening of schools for the 2026 academic year, the Ministry of Education has said.
In a statement issued on Friday, Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Migos Ogamba said all basic education schools will reopen for Term One on Monday, January 5, 2026, following the Christmas and New Year break.
“All basic education schools are expected to re-open for the new term on Monday, 5th January, 2026,” Mr Ogamba said, adding that ministry field officers will monitor compliance with the academic calendar across the country.
According to the ministry, a total of Sh44,245,066,500.85 has been disbursed as capitation for Term One to support learners in public primary, junior school and secondary institutions.
“The Government has today released Sh44.24 billion as capitation for Term One for learners in all public basic education institutions,” the statement read.
The funds have been distributed across different levels of basic education, with Sh3.7 billion allocated to Free Primary Education, Sh14.45 billion to Free Day Junior School Education and Sh26.08 billion to Free Day Secondary Education.
Mr Ogamba said the release of the funds is expected to facilitate the smooth running of school activities at the start of the new term.
“The release of capitation funds will facilitate the seamless conduct of school activities in the new term,” he said.
The ministry also confirmed that Grade 10 learners are expected to report to their respective senior schools starting January 12, 2026.
The Cabinet Secretary noted that the first revision of placements to Grade 10 was completed on December 29, 2025, with joining instructions made available online from December 30.
“As earlier indicated, interested learners will have a further opportunity to apply for review of their placement from 6th January, 2026, to 9th January, 2026,” Mr Ogamba said.
He added that additional placement review requests may be initiated through learners’ junior schools or senior schools of interest, and must be submitted by heads of institutions through the official placement portal.
On school fees, the ministry reaffirmed that charges for senior schools remain unchanged. Mr Ogamba said the government will continue providing capitation at a rate of Sh22,244 per learner per year.
“The Ministry has issued a circular affirming that fees payable by learners in senior schools remain unchanged,” he said.
The Cabinet Secretary cautioned school heads against imposing extra levies on parents, warning of firm action against those found misusing public funds.
“School heads and principals are directed to ensure prudent use of these public resources and to desist from imposing any extra levies or fees,” Mr Ogamba said, adding that verified cases of misappropriation would be dealt with decisively.
He reiterated the government’s commitment to free and compulsory basic education in line with Article 53 of the Constitution, which guarantees every child the right to education.
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