The reporting of the first cohort of Grade 10 learners to senior secondary schools has been slow, with about 830,000 learners yet to report as of Wednesday, largely due to parents’ inability to raise school related costs.
Data from the Ministry of Education shows that only 301,701 learners had reported by midweek, representing roughly a quarter of the 1,130,459 candidates who sat the 2025 Kenya Junior Secondary Education Assessment (KJSEA).
Of those who had reported, 151,740 learners (50.3 per cent) were boys, while 149,961 (49.7 per cent) were girls.
Placement statistics indicate that most learners were admitted to C4 (sub-county) schools, which accounted for 41 per cent of admissions. This was followed by C2 (extra-county) schools at 25 per cent, C1 (national) schools at 18 per cent, and C3 (county) schools at 15 per cent.
Basic Education Principal Secretary Julius Bitok attributed the slow reporting to the transition involved in admitting the first Grade 10 class under the new curriculum.
He assured parents that no learner would be locked out of school, noting that the government is supporting students from vulnerable backgrounds. He added that 10,000 needy learners will benefit from the Elimu Scholarship Programme.
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Bitok said that revision of placement and admissions remain open until Friday and are being conducted strictly through the digital system used during placement to enhance transparency.
The government last week released Ksh44.2 billion in capitation to support learning institutions. However, parents continue to cite the high cost of school uniforms, boarding requirements, and other essentials as major barriers to reporting.
In Nandi County, the reporting rate stood at 50 per cent, according to County Director of Education Harrison Muriuki.
Some parents have opted for day schools, even when their children were placed in boarding institutions. Mary Chebii, a parent from Mosoriot Centre, said she chose a day school after failing to afford fees at a C2 senior school.
Similarly, schools in Machakos County, including Kyeniu Baptist Secondary School, reported low student turnout.
At the same time, parents have been seeking transfers to senior schools in categories C1, C2, and C3, leaving schools grappling with placement delays, limited subject pathways, and uncertainty in admissions.
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The Ministry of Education has reaffirmed the government’s commitment to Free Day Secondary Education (FDSE), stressing that parents will continue to pay zero tuition fees, as the State provides Sh22,244 per learner annually.
On boarding charges, the ministry emphasized that fee ceilings remain unchanged. Boarding schools in major urban centres may charge up to Sh53,554 per year, other boarding schools up to Sh40,535, while special needs schools are capped at Sh12,790 annually.
The ministry further clarified that the shift from the former school classifications National, Extra-County, County, and Sub-County to the C1 to C4 clusters is purely structural and does not introduce new fees.
Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Ogamba has warned school principals against charging unauthorised fees, cautioning that those found culpable will face administrative and disciplinary action.
By Obegi Malack
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