Parents brace for fee hike as Grade 9 learners move to senior school

Nairobi, Kenya — With the recent conclusion of the Kenya Junior Secondary Education Assessment (KJSEA) and the upcoming transition of learners into senior secondary schooling, many parents are preparing for potential increases in school fees.
Key details:
The government is rolling out a major transition of learners into senior school under the new pathway system.According to one report, the next academic level could come with increased school fees, determined by the learning pathway each student pursues.
Meanwhile, the Ministry of Education has indicated that the annual boarding fee for public senior schools will be set at KSh 53,000 from January 2026 under new guidelines.On the other hand, the Ministry has also clarified that there has been no immediate revision of boarding fees for public senior schools yet.What it means for parents:Parents of learners entering Grade 9 are advised to budget for higher costs, especially if the student enters boarding or a senior school with more amenities.There is uncertainty about how soon the higher fee structure will take effect, and whether all types of schools (day, boarding, public, private) will be affected equally.The move marks a shift away from previous school category‑based fee structures, meaning more uniformity but also potential for increased costs in many institutions.