The Ministry of Education says all basic schools will open on January 5, 2026. This starts the new school year.
Cabinet Secretary Julius Migos Ogamba shared this in a statement on January 2, 2025. He said the ministry will watch schools to make sure they stick to the school calendar.
The government sent out Ksh 44,245,066,500.85 for Term One capitation. This money helps public basic schools run well. It breaks down to Ksh 3.7 billion for free primary education. Ksh 14.4 billion goes to free day junior school. Ksh 26.1 billion covers free day secondary school.
The capitation will help school work go smoothly this term, Ogamba said. He noted Grade 10 students must join senior schools on January 12, 2026.
The ministry updated on Grade 10 placements to senior schools. They finished the first changes on December 29, 2025. Joining details went live on the portal December 30.
Parents, guardians, or students can ask for more changes from January 6 to 9, 2026. Start requests at the junior school or wanted senior school. Use the official portal to process them.
Ogamba told school leaders to use the money wisely. He warned against extra charges on students. The ministry will act hard on any proven misuse.
School heads must use these public funds right for students, Ogamba said.
Senior school capitation stays the same. Each learner gets Ksh 22,244 per year. Student fees will not change.
The government stands by free basic education under Article 53 of the Constitution.
This follows worries from Kiharu MP Ndindi Nyoro. In November 2025, he hit out at a plan to cut day secondary capitation. He said dropping it from Ksh 22,000 to Ksh 12,000 per learner would make parents pay more. It would hurt free education.
National Treasury CS John Mbadi said the government has not given full capitation for years. Secondary schools got Ksh 16,900, not the full Ksh 22,244. Junior schools received Ksh 10,000 out of Ksh 15,042 needed.
Mbadi pointed to more students and other needs like debt payments. These limit funds. He said better revenue might lead to reviews. But full amounts have not come lately.
Education staff will send officers to check schools and help at reopening. This plan seeks no learning breaks. It wants good resource use and safe starts for students.
Schools across Kenya gear up for students and teachers after Christmas and New Year breaks. The ministry’s steps fix old problems. They aim to better handle public school funds.
