The Ministry of Education has announced that all senior secondary schools in Kenya will now charge the same annual fees, effective next year.
This is in accordance with the guidelines on the implementation of senior school published by the Ministry. As of January 2026, all secondary schools will adhere to a standardized schedule.
Senior school students enrolled in boarding schools will pay Ksh 53,554 annually.
“The school fees to be charged for all categories of boarding school shall, for the time being, remain at Ksh 53,554.00 as per the Gazette Notice No. 1555 of 10th March 2015,” read part of the guidelines.
Guidelines on Fee Collection in Senior School
Schools are required to adhere to the annual fee guidelines issued by the ministry and seek written approval from the Cabinet Secretary for any additional levies through the County Education Board (CEB).
Fee structures must be issued at the start of the academic year, specifying vote heads such as tuition, boarding, meals, and activity fees.
Parents must be given advance notice of fee collection deadlines, and schools are required to designate official payment channels. All payments must be accompanied by official receipts that clearly indicate the amount, date, and purpose.
Where necessary, schools may allow fees to be paid in instalments, provided that clear documentation of the payment plan is signed by both parties to prevent disputes and ensure that students are not denied access to education.
Boards of Management (BoMs) are responsible for the prudent utilization and accountability of collected fees.
Schools must prepare and present annual financial reports to the Parents’ Association (PA) and BoM, detailing how funds were spent. Any proposed fee increments, special levies, or development projects requiring additional financial contributions must be consulted on with the PA before seeking approval.
Also Read: Govt Reveals How Parents Will Pay Fees in Senior Schools
The guidelines also require schools to support needy students through bursaries, scholarships, or partnerships with external donors, with clear communication on eligibility and application processes.
Capitation funds must be used to subsidize tuition and other costs, in line with Ministry of Education directives. Finally, schools are prohibited from sending away students for non-payment of boarding fees, in accordance with the Basic Education Act (2013).
Students who sat for the 2025 Kenya Junior Secondary Education Assessment (KJSEA) have already selected their schools.
Schools have been categorized into four clusters: Cluster 1 (formerly national schools), Cluster 2 (extra-county schools), Cluster 3 (county schools), and Cluster 4 (day schools).
How Grade 10 Lessons and Subjects Will be Administered
Learners will be assessed in seven (7) subjects, of which four (4) are core subjects: English, Kiswahili/KSL, Core Mathematics/Essential Mathematics, and Community Service Learning (CSL). The remaining three (3) shall be selected from the pathways and tracks of choice.
According to the guidelines, senior students are expected to attend eight lessons per day, which combine core, elective, and support subjects, totaling 40 lessons per week.
Each lesson will last 40 minutes, with reporting time set at 8:00 am. Lessons will commence at 8:20 a.m. and end at 3:20 p.m., with the first 20 minutes allocated for roll call, assembly, or house/class meetings, where applicable.
The guidelines specify that Physical Education (PE) will have three lessons per week, ICT will have two lessons, and Lesson Study/Personal, Religious, and Professional Instruction (P/RPI) will have one lesson per week.
Also Read: CS Ogamba Announces When KNEC Will Release KCSE, KPSEA, and KJSEA Results
Core subjects such as English, Kiswahili/KSL, Core/Essential Mathematics, and CSL will be taught as single lessons. Support subjects will also be single lessons, while Arts & Sports Science and STEM subjects may have only one double lesson per week.
Non-formal programs should be scheduled after the last lesson at 3:20 pm. Breaks have been structured to support student well-being, with a 10-minute break after the first two lessons, a 30-minute break after the next two, and a one-hour lunch break.
A teacher in a Senior School shall be allocated a minimum of 27 lessons per week in their areas of specialization. A teacher is expected to teach at least two subjects in a Senior School curriculum.
A total of 1.12 million learners sat for the KJSEA exams.
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