Starting January 2026, all public boarding secondary schools in Kenya will be required to admit day scholars as part of the government’s plan to implement the Competency Based Curriculum (CBC) at the senior secondary level.
The directive, issued by the Ministry of Education (MoE), seeks to expand access to Grade 10 education by ensuring that schools accommodate both boarding and non-boarding students. Schools will be expected to reserve at least 10 percent of their intake for learners who will commute from home.
This move aims to ease pressure on boarding facilities, lower education costs for families, and promote fairness in school placements. According to the ministry, the first cohort of Grade 10 learners under CBC will be placed in schools based on merit, interest, and proximity to their homes.
ALSO READ:
Ksh4.2T budget bolsters education, faces debt and cuts challenges
MoE has disclosed that day scholars will wear the same uniform, follow the same timetable and participate in all school activities alongside boarders. It further added that parents will be responsible for ensuring regular attendance, discipline and lunch arrangements.
Even though, school heads have raised concerns over possible security and operational challenges, especially in managing students who enter and leave school daily, the Ministry has emphasized the need for cooperation between schools and families to make the system work.
The inclusion of day scholars marks a major shift in Kenya’s secondary education system and is seen as a step toward more inclusive and affordable learning under the CBC framework.
By Benedict Aoya
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
>>> Click here to read more informed opinions on the country’s education landscape
