The Ministry of Education, (MoE) has released guidelines for the use of Free Day Junior School Education (FDJSE) capitation funds for the first term of the 2026 academic year.
In a circular dated January 6, 2026, issued by the Basic Education Principal Secretary Julius Bitok, and directed to county education directors, the ministry outlines that each public junior school has been granted Ksh92,490.33 as Ksh4,193.07 allocated per learner.
The Ministry stated that the disbursement was based on learner enrollment data extracted from the National Education Management Information System (NEMIS) on April 24, 2025. Subsequently, it was verified by school heads and Sub-County Directors of Education through the KOBO data verification tool in September 2025.
“The Data for this disbursement of FDJSE funds was extracted from the National Education Management Information System (NEMIS) on April 24, 2025, at 6.30 pm, and the same was verified by respective Heads of Institutions and SCDEs on 1 September 2025 through the KOBO tool link,” Bitok said
Under the allocation, each school will receive Ksh90,562.23 for operational expenses, which includes Ksh22,937.23 for rental, postage, telephone charges, Board of Management meetings, and capacity building; Ksh3,000 for electricity, water, and conservancy; Ksh9,375 for internet connectivity; and Ksh55,250 for personal emoluments. An additional Ksh1,928.10 has been earmarked for tuition-related expenses, bringing the total per-school allocation to Ksh92,490.33.
ALSO READ:
KUCCPS opens KMTC applications portal for KCSE 2024 or earlier candidates
The Ministry also detailed per-learner allocations; with a total of Ksh2,297.71 for operational costs, covering repairs, maintenance, and improvements of physical facilities at Ksh1,600, administrative costs at Ksh130, co-curricular activities at Ksh100 disbursed to schools plus Ksh250 centrally procured, local transport and travel at Ksh140, and medical and insurance costs at Ksh77.71.
Tuition-related per-learner allocations total Ksh1,895.36, including Ksh50 for teacher capacity building centrally procured under SMASSE, Ksh795.67 for textbooks and supplementary readers procured by KICD, Sh119.25 for laboratory materials, Sh300 for practical materials under CBC, Sh130.05 for assessment, and Sh500.39 for stationery and writing materials.
The circular instructs heads of institutions to acknowledge receipt of funds by issuing official school receipts to the Principal Secretary, with copies sent to Sub-County and County Directors of Education. “Schools must also maintain class lists showing each learner’s admission number, full name, and amount allocated.” Reads part of the circular
The Ministry further revealed that schools that failed to submit data or submitted incorrect details were excluded from the current disbursement, adding that such schools will receive funds once the correct details are submitted and verified via the KOBO tool. Sub-County Directors must submit lists of affected schools within two weeks.
PS Bitok further directed the schools to operate separate Tuition, Operations, and Infrastructure accounts, each with a separate cash book, adding that tuition funds must be used strictly for teaching and learning materials, while operations funds cover all other school expenditures, including repairs, utilities, and staff costs.
The Ministry also reminded the Boards of Management and heads of institutions to comply with public finance regulations, accounting procedures, and relevant laws, including the Public Finance Management Act, 2012, and the Public Procurement and Disposal Act, 2015, barring Junior schools from charging additional fees, levies, or lunch programme costs.
“All Boards of Management are expected to ensure prudence in the use of school funds and to adhere to the laid down financial regulations as stipulated in the reviewed Handbook on Financial Management for Public Schools, Teacher Training Colleges and Technical and Vocational Colleges in Kenya issued by the MoE, the Public Finance Management Act, 2012 and the Public Procurement and Disposal Act, 2015. All stipulated accounting procedures and other necessary measures, including cost saving, must be adhered to by all schools at all times, “Bitok stated.
By Juma Ndigo
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
