Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Ogamba has dismissed claims that boarding fees in public senior secondary schools have been raised.

He clarified that the current rates remain in force even as the government moves to standardise school fees beginning January 2026.

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In a statement issued on Thursday, Ogamba said the Ministry’s position on boarding fees had not changed, urging the public to disregard information suggesting otherwise.

“Our attention has been drawn to reports in sections of the media to the effect that boarding fees payable by learners in public senior schools have been revised upwards,” he said.

“Parents, learners and the general public are hereby notified that there has been no revision of boarding fees, or any other fees, payable by learners.”

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New standardised fee structure

The clarification comes days after the ministry released new guidelines outlining a standard boarding fee of Ksh 53,000 per year for all public senior secondary schools from January 2026.

The reforms also include the scrapping of the previous categorisation of schools—national, extra-county, county and sub-county—moving all senior schools into a single classification.

According to the guidelines, the uniform fee structure is intended to ensure equity and simplify school financing. “The new setup will see all secondary schools, which will be re-registered as senior schools, classified on the same level, charging a standard fee,” the directive stated.

Capitation to remain in place

Ogamba reaffirmed that government support to schools will continue under the existing capitation arrangement. “The Government will continue to fulfil its constitutional duty of providing capitation for learners in senior school. The approved rate of capitation for this level of education remains Ksh 22,244 per learner per year,” he said.

The capitation is expected to offset part of the Ksh 53,000 annual fee, easing the financial load on households.

School operations

The new framework also introduces adjustments to academic and administrative operations. Senior schools will implement a seven-subject curriculum, incorporate community service learning, and operate on a schedule of eight 40-minute lessons daily. Additionally, schools will be required to ensure learners are not sent away unaccompanied after 9 a.m.

To enhance accountability, the guidelines mandate more stringent financial audits and greater involvement of parents and students in school governance structures.

The changes come as the education system prepares to transition Grade 9 learners, with placement guidelines expected after the release of Kenya Junior Secondary Education Assessment (KJSEA) results.