Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Ogamba has issued detailed instructions for senior secondary schools to admit all Grade 10 learners, following a directive from President William Ruto.
In a statement on Thursday, January 22, CS Ogamba said the move ensures that no student is left out due to a lack of uniforms or school fees.
“Earlier today, His Excellency the President has directed that all learners transitioning to Grade 10 be admitted to their assigned schools even if they do not yet have the senior school uniforms or the required fees,” Ogamba said.
The CS further gave all senior school principals clear instructions regarding Grade 10 admissions. First, principals are to admit all learners placed in their institutions without delay. Students who do not yet have senior school uniforms are permitted to join their respective schools in their junior school uniforms.
CS Ogamba orders schools to admit all Grade 10 students
All learners must be admitted regardless of whether school fees have been paid. Principals are expected to optimize the use of capitation funds that were disbursed to schools on January 2, 2026, while allowing parents and guardians flexibility in meeting household contributions.
Finally, senior and junior school heads are required to work closely with Sub-County Directors of Education and National Government Administration Officers (NGAOs) to trace and admit any learners who were not enrolled by the previous deadline of 21st January.
Also Read: The Math Behind Kenya’s Grade 10 School Placement Crisis
“Sub-County Directors of Education shall collect data relating to all learners who will be admitted to senior school with junior school uniforms and or without payment of fees. This data shall be submitted to the Ministry Headquarters.”
Ogamba emphasized that parents and guardians who fail to present their children for admission could face legal consequences under Section 31 of the Basic Education Act, 2013.
The CS had earlier in the week urged parents to report principals who attempt to enforce purchases from specific shops, stressing, “That is why we are saying that if parents are being forced to buy uniforms or school supplies from a particular shop or person, they should report the matter to our field officers so we can take action against those principals.”
Ogamba added, “This practice is not allowed. It is not a policy of government,” and encouraged submission of documented evidence, such as receipts, to enable corrective action.
Ruto order
The directives follow President Ruto’s reaffirmation of his commitment to inclusive education during the launch of the NYOTA programme in Meru.
“No child should stay at home because of school fees. Every child must go to school because we have set funds aside to educate our children,” he said, adding, “There is sufficient money for teachers and for our children to be taught in the first term.”
Also Read: Relief for 500,000 Grade 10 Learners as Govt Extends Deadline for Admission
The President clarified that all students must report to school irrespective of fees or uniforms. “Every child, whether they have school fees or not, whether they have uniforms or not, should go to school. Education is important and we want every Kenyan child to have the opportunity to learn,” Ruto said.
He also highlighted government efforts to strengthen public education, including hiring 100,000 teachers in recent years, increasing the education budget to Ksh700 billion this year, and constructing 23,000 new classrooms over the past three years to ensure a conducive learning environment for all children.
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