The Ministry of Education has rolled out a revised fees structure for all public senior schools across Kenya, a move expected to ease the financial burden on parents and bring uniformity in school charges nationwide.
The new framework, which applies to learners under both the Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC) and the 8-4-4 system, officially took effect on January 5, 2026. It was announced through a Gazette notice dated February 6, 2026, signed by Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Ogamba.
According to the ministry, the revised fees are aimed at standardising charges, enhancing transparency, and shielding parents from arbitrary or excessive school levies.
Under the new arrangement, day senior schools will be completely free, with parents no longer required to pay any fees.
The government will cover the full cost of Sh22,244 per student, including tuition, co-curricular activities, medical and insurance cover, SMASSE, administration, learning materials, maintenance, and physical education.
For boarding senior schools, fees will vary depending on each institution’s previously approved limits. Schools that were earlier allowed to charge up to Sh53,554 will now have a total fee of Sh75,798, with parents paying up to Sh53,554 while the government contributes Sh22,244.
Meanwhile, schools that previously charged a maximum of Sh40,535 will retain that amount for parents, with the government’s contribution bringing the total fees to Sh62,779.
The boarding school fees cover expenses such as boarding equipment, maintenance, administration, extracurricular activities, and general operations.
Parents, however, will not be required to pay for teaching and learning materials, medical and insurance costs, or SMASSE.
In schools where boarding costs are fully catered for by parents, fees will range between Sh25,385 and Sh30,385, depending on the school category.
Special needs schools are also beneficiaries of the revised structure. Parents in these institutions will pay Sh12,790, while the government will contribute Sh57,974 per learner, bringing the total cost to Sh70,764.
The funds will cater for specialised learning resources, boarding needs, maintenance, and other essential services for learners with disabilities.
CS Ogamba cautioned school administrators against introducing extra charges outside the approved structure, warning that no public institution should levy additional fees beyond what has been stipulated.
Schools currently charging below the approved ceilings have been encouraged to maintain their rates. The ministry also directed that fees be distributed across the three school terms using a 50:30:20 payment ratio.
The new framework replaces Gazette Notice No. 1555 of 2015, updating a policy that had remained unchanged for nearly a decade.
The government says the revised fees will offer parents greater certainty in planning their education budgets while promoting fairness across all public senior schools.
Any future changes to the fees, the ministry noted, will only be effected through approval by the Cabinet Secretary and formal gazettement.
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