Publishers Announce Grade 11 Textbook Rollout in September

CS Julius Ogamba inaugurated the distribution of Grade 10 textbooks at English Press Ltd in Nairobi on 22 January 2026, according to the Ministry of Education.
Publishers now expect Grade 11 books to roll out in September, offering relief to schools preparing for the next phase of competency‑based education.
The Kenya Publishers Association confirmed that printing of the Grade 11 textbooksan essential learning resourcehas finished, and publishers are moving toward nationwide distribution.
During a Nairobi press briefing, George Okeyo, Managing Director of Kenya Literature Bureau, noted the books had progressed beyond production and were ready for school delivery.
Okeyo added that the publication process for Grade 11 titles is now in the final stages, from printing to dissemination across the country.
KPA chairman Musyoki Muli said publishers have shifted focus to preparing Grade 12 textbooks while awaiting government payments.
Muli explained that Grade 11 must launch in September, since about a month is required to print and package each school’s supply.
He also noted that publishers have received framework agreements and finalised corrections on approved manuscripts.
Twenty‑one publishers have been contracted to produce and distribute roughly seven million Grade 11 textbooks and literature sets by year’s end.
Information came after publishers warned that unpaid government bills could delay delivery of learning materials.
In May, the association cautioned that arrears totaling Sh9.5 billion risk disrupting production and distribution.
At the Meru Regional Book Fair on 29 May, Muli acknowledged tight deadlines yet expressed confidence that publishers would meet them.
He said printing would take about 60 days, followed by an additional 30 days for nationwide distribution.
At that time, the association estimated the government owed Sh6.2 billion for primary school textbooks, Sh2.5 billion for secondary and senior lessons, and Sh780 million for junior school books during the 2024/25 fiscal year.
The payment dispute sparked a standoff last year, with publishers threatening to halt Grade 10 printing until the government settled its debts.
In March, the government acknowledged a Sh13.3 billion debt but stated it had already paid Sh5.6 billion earlier that year.
Meanwhile, the Kenya Institute of Curriculum Development notified school principals that the first phase of Grade 10 textbook distribution had finished.
Principals were asked to submit updated records of how many books were received against enrollment figures to reconcile data.
They were given a deadline of 19 June to provide this information.
Each learner is expected to receive a textbook for every learning area to achieve a 1:1 textbook‑learner ratio nationwide.
The cohort entering Grade 11 will move into Grade 12 in January 2027.
Updated records will guide future textbook distribution, taking into account student transfers and pathway changes that caused discrepancies in the first phase.