NAIROBI, Kenya — The Ministry of Education has dismissed reports alleging that boarding fees in public senior schools will rise ahead of the 2026 academic calendar. Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Ogamba said the claims—circulated widely through some media outlets and social platforms—were misleading and should be ignored. He stressed that the government has not approved any changes to the current fee guidelines, reassuring parents that all institutions must continue adhering to the existing structure. According to the ministry, the fee framework guiding senior school boarding charges remains unchanged, and any reports suggesting otherwise are inaccurate.
In his statement, Ogamba emphasized that the government’s responsibility for funding senior school learning through capitation remains fully in force. The CS reiterated that the approved allocation of KSh 22,244 per learner per year has not been revised, noting that the government is committed to supporting learners transitioning through the Competency-Based Curriculum. The ministry’s clarification follows confusion triggered by earlier claims that parents would be required to pay KSh 53,554 annually for boarding in public senior schools. Officials said this figure did not originate from the ministry and warned schools against imposing unauthorized levies. The statement also highlighted key elements of the ongoing rollout of the senior school curriculum, including compulsory subjects such as English, Kiswahili and Mathematics, the introduction of community service learning, and a timetable structured around 40 weekly lessons.
The ministry’s quick rebuttal has provided relief to thousands of parents who feared a steep rise in school costs as learners prepare to join Grade 10 next year. Stakeholders said misinformation on fees could trigger unnecessary anxiety, particularly for families already struggling with rising living costs. Education officials urged parents to rely on official communication channels to avoid falling prey to false reports. With the transition to senior school ongoing and curriculum reforms still in motion, the Ministry of Education said it will continue engaging the public to ensure clarity on funding, curriculum delivery and school preparedness ahead of the new term.