- Public secondary schools have received the second tranche of FDSE capitation funds for Term Three 2025 based on verified NEMIS enrolment data.
- The Ministry of Education has directed principals to acknowledge receipt of the funds within two weeks through official receipts and NEMIS uploads.
- Schools found to have overstated enrolment figures will be required to refund excess allocations, while those that fail to comply risk missing future disbursements.
Public secondary schools across the country have received the second tranche of Free Day Secondary Education (FDSE) funds for the third term of 2025, with the Ministry of Education directing school heads to promptly acknowledge receipt of the money or risk suspension of future disbursements.
In a circular dated May 12, 2026 and addressed to all County Directors of Education, the State Department for Basic Education announced the release of the funds and outlined strict accountability measures that schools must comply with.
The circular, signed by Principal Secretary Amb. (Prof.) Julius K. Bitok, states that the allocation was based on enrolment data extracted from the National Education Management Information System (NEMIS) on April 22, 2025 and subsequently verified by school heads and Sub-County Directors of Education.
Sh85.60 Allocated Per Learner
According to the circular, the Ministry remitted KSh85.60 per learner to school operations accounts to cater for various vote heads including personnel emoluments, internet connectivity, Education Welfare Committee (EWC) activities and administrative costs.
“This Ministry has remitted Kshs.85.60 per learner to the operations accounts for other vote heads,” rhe circular stated.
The funds form part of the government’s continued commitment to financing free secondary education and ensuring smooth school operations. The Ministry has in recent years emphasized timely release of capitation to support learning activities and institutional management.
School principals have been instructed to officially acknowledge receipt of the funds through both physical and digital channels.
The circular directs principals to: “Issue official school receipts to the Principal Secretary, State Department for Basic Education.”
Schools must also upload copies of the official receipts onto the NEMIS platform as proof of receipt.
The Ministry warned that failure to comply within the stipulated period will attract sanctions.
“This MUST be accomplished within two weeks of receipt of funds.”
“Schools that fail to acknowledge funds within the stipulated time WILL NOT be provided with FDSE funds in subsequent disbursement,” circular warns.
The directive reflects the government’s push for greater transparency and accountability in the management of public education funds. Similar accountability requirements have accompanied previous capitation releases.
The Ministry also instructed school heads to indicate their Unique Institutional Code (UIC) in all correspondence relating to capitation matters.
According to the circular: “Any communication to this Ministry from all heads of institutions clearly indicate the Unique Institutional Code (UIC).”
Officials say the requirement will make it easier to retrieve records and track school-specific transactions and communications.
County Directors of Education and Sub-County Directors of Education have been tasked with authenticating and monitoring the accuracy of enrolment data in schools.
The Ministry cautioned schools against inflating student numbers to attract higher allocations.
The circular states: “Schools with enrolment lower than figures used for this disbursement MUST refund any excess funds received back to the Ministry.”
The directive comes amid ongoing efforts by the Ministry to clean up enrolment records and ensure capitation is based on verified student data. Recent verification exercises have focused on aligning NEMIS records with actual school enrolment.
County Directors of Education have further been directed to ensure all public secondary school principals receive and implement the circular.
“You are asked to communicate the contents of this circular to all principals of public secondary schools within your jurisdiction, ” the Ministry stated.
Copies of the circular were also sent to the Cabinet Secretary for Education, the Teachers Service Commission Secretary and Chief Executive Officer, the Director of School Audit Services and all Regional Directors of Education.
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The latest directive underscores the Ministry’s determination to strengthen accountability mechanisms surrounding public education financing. Government officials have repeatedly maintained that capitation funds must reach the intended learners and be supported by accurate enrolment records and proper financial documentation.
By Our Reporter
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