President William Ruto has directed the Ministry of Education and the Teachers Service Commission (TSC) to review government capitation for public schools, raising hopes of increased funding for learning institutions across the country.
The Head of State said the government was considering increasing the amount allocated per learner to enable schools to meet operational expenses and improve the quality of education.
Speaking during the Kenya Comprehensive School Heads Association (KECSHA) National Annual General Meeting in Mombasa on Thursday, November 12, 2026, Ruto instructed Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Ogamba, the TSC and other stakeholders to review the existing funding structure and establish how much the government should allocate per learner.
The President said he had directed the Ministry of Education and TSC to reassess the current figures and recommend an upward adjustment to school capitation.
"I have instructed Ogamba and the TSC to again look at the numbers so that we can review that capitation and make it upwards and make it possible for you to teach our children better," Ruto said.
He added that he expected the Ministry to submit its report before schools reopen in January 2027, allowing him to make a decision ahead of the first term.
"I expect a report by January next year so that I can make a decision on which way to go," the President stated.
The proposed review comes amid growing concerns among school heads over inadequate government funding, with many public institutions struggling to meet their operational costs.
Under the current capitation framework, the government allocates KSh1,420 annually for each primary school learner, KSh15,042 for junior secondary school learners and KSh22,244 for senior secondary school learners.
Some school administrators have recently raised concerns that the allocations are insufficient to cater for the increasing cost of running schools, particularly as enrolment continues to grow.
The funding challenges have also seen some public schools seek additional financial contributions from parents and guardians to support essential operations, with administrators citing inadequate government funding.
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