The government has broken down the Ksh22,244 per-student annual capitation for senior schools under the Free Day Secondary Education (FDSE) programme for the 2026 academic year, with the state covering all costs and relieving parents of any financial burden.
The allocation is designed to ensure schools can provide essential learning resources, maintain infrastructure, and support extracurricular activities without imposing extra fees on families.
The Ministry of Education has outlined how the capitation should be spent. Of the total Ksh22,244, tuition fees account for Ksh4,144 per student, covering core learning activities. Medical insurance and related health services are allocated Ksh2,000, ensuring learners have access to basic health support while in school. Co-curricular activities, including sports, clubs, and other enrichment programmes, are assigned Ksh1,500 per learner.
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Teacher development through Strengthening of Mathematics and Science in Secondary Education (SMASSE) programmes receives Ksh200 per student, aimed at enhancing instructional quality and equipping educators with updated skills. Other critical areas, including information and communication technology (ICT), administration, environmental and waste control (EWC), and physical education, are allotted Ksh9,400 per student, ensuring schools are well-equipped and efficiently managed. Finally, Ksh 5,000 per student is set aside for maintenance and improvement of school infrastructure, allowing schools to carry out necessary repairs, renovations, and upgrades.
Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Migos Ogamba emphasized the need for prudent use of the funds. He warned that school administrators must not impose unauthorized fees or mismanage resources.
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“School heads and principals are directed to utilise these resources for the benefit of learners and to desist from imposing any extra levies or fees,” he said, noting that any confirmed cases of misappropriation would attract strict administrative action.
By clearly defining how the funds are to be used, the Ministry of Education aims to uphold transparency, accountability, and efficiency, guaranteeing that public resources directly benefit learners and enhance educational outcomes.
The capitation allocation reinforces the government’s commitment to free and compulsory basic education under Article 53 of the Constitution. It ensures students have access to quality learning, safe and functional facilities, and opportunities for holistic development, without placing a financial burden on their families.
By Mercy Kokwon
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