- Secondary schools receive the largest share at Sh10.96 billion as learners resume classes nationwide.
- Junior Schools have been allocated Sh6.14 billion, while primary schools receive Sh1.4 billion.
- Education CS Julius Ogamba warns school heads against misappropriating funds and imposing unauthorised levies.
The government has released Sh18.5 billion in capitation funds to public basic education institutions as schools reopen for the third term of the 2026 academic year.
Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Migos Ogamba said the funds have already been released to facilitate school operations and activities as learners return to pre-primary, primary, junior and senior schools across the country.
“Term 3 of 2026 has begun today, with basic education institutions (pre-primary, primary, junior and senior schools) opening across the country,” Ogamba said in a statement dated Monday, August 24.
The government has released exactly Sh18,508,271,486.60 in capitation for learners in public basic education institutions.
“To facilitate seamless operations and the conduct of school activities in the new term, the Government has already released Ksh. 18,508,271,486.60 as capitation for Term 3 for learners in all public basic education institutions,” the CS said.
Secondary schools receive Sh10.96 billion
Free Day Secondary Education has received the biggest share of the Term Three allocation, with the government releasing Sh10,963,461,668.50.
Free Day Junior School Education has been allocated Sh6,143,719,839.60, while Sh1,401,089,978.50 has been released under Free Primary Education.
“The amount has been apportioned as follows across the various levels of basic education,” the Ministry said before providing the breakdown.
The allocations mean secondary schools account for approximately 59 per cent of the Sh18.5 billion released, Junior Schools about 33 per cent and primary education about eight per cent.
The release comes as schools begin the final term of the 2026 academic year and require resources to meet teaching, learning and operational expenses.
The Ministry said the funding reflects the government’s obligation to provide basic education to Kenyan children.
“The Government affirms its commitment to fulfil its duty to learners and educational institutions, in line with Article 53(1)(b) of the Constitution that entitles every child to free and compulsory basic education,” Ogamba said.
The constitutional provision guarantees every child the right to free and compulsory basic education.
The release of the funds is expected to ease financial pressure on public schools as they begin Term Three activities.
School heads warned over use of funds
The Ministry has, however, issued a strong warning to heads of institutions and principals over the management of the money.
School administrators have been directed to ensure that the public resources are used prudently and for the benefit of learners.
“School heads and principals are directed to ensure prudent use of these public resources entrusted to their care for the benefit of learners, and to desist from imposing any unauthorised levies,” Ogamba said.
The directive puts school administrators on notice against introducing charges that have not been authorised by the government.
Ministry warns against misappropriation, illegal levies
The government has also warned that action will be taken against institutions found misappropriating capitation funds or imposing unauthorised levies on parents.
“As a Ministry, we will deal firmly with any verified cases of misappropriation of resources and the imposition of unauthorised levies,” Ogamba warned.
The statement therefore places responsibility on school heads and principals to account for the funds released to their institutions while ensuring parents are not subjected to unauthorised charges.
READ ALSO: 100 percent transition, but what about mastery? Kenya must stop moving learners faster than they learn
The Sh18.5 billion release comes at the start of a critical third term as schools complete the 2026 academic calendar and prepare learners for end-of-year assessments and other academic activities.
By Joseph Mambili
Get more stories from our website: Education News
To write to us or offer feedback, you can reach us at: editor@educationnews.co.ke
You can also follow our social media pages on Twitter: Education News KE and Facebook: Education News Newspaper for timely updates.
>>> Click here to stay up-to-date with trending regional stories
