Schools struggle as Ruto fee-free directive strains education sector

Parent captured at Kakamega main market after buying a school box for his child on December 31,2025. [Benjamin Sakwa, Standard] President William Ruto and education officials may be painting a rosy picture of the Grade 10 transition, but on the ground, many stakeholders say the process is far from seamless. Across the country, dozens of learners have remained home, unable to join senior secondary schools due to tough economic realities. While some students heeded official calls and reported to their respective schools, The Standard has established that a huge number are yet to enrol. Some parents say they cannot even afford transport to get their children to school, while others claim schools are reluctant to admit learners whose stay cannot be guaranteed. In Meru County, for example, several students have not joined Grade 10, prompting concern among administrators. In Igembe North Sub-County, Deputy County Commissioner Martin Muhia and Sub-County Police Commander Gerald Mararo reported that up to 60 per cent of learners had yet to report. "Our sub-county has had a big challenge in enrollment. Data shows that up to 60 per cent are still at home. Only 40.2 per cent have enrolled in senior school," Muhia said. Mararo added that lack of school fees was one reason students stayed away, but not the only one. "Some are out there playing pool and in casino joints. They want quick money," he said, adding that police patrols were underway in Laare town and other centres to ensure compliance with the presidential directive. He warned parents and guardians that anyone failing to play their role would face punitive action. "We are going to do a thorough mop-up using village elders, Nyumba Kumi and chiefs. Teachers will provide us with information to enable door-to-door follow-ups. We will take appropriate actions against those who flout the law. We believe we can raise enrolment from 40 to 100 per cent," Mararo said. Meanwhile, in Kisumu County, Michael Barack, who scored an impressive 60 points in the KJSEA tests at Rabuor Comprehensive School last year, remains stranded at home in Alendu, Kisumu East Sub-County. His mother, Rose Odhuma, told The Standard she cannot raise the bus fare needed to transport her son to Ambira High School in Siaya County, where he was placed. Rose, a mother of six, argued that even with the presidential directive requiring unconditional admission of Grade 10 learners, families facing extreme poverty still cannot ensure their children get to school. "He has not reported to school. He's still with me at home because I'm overwhelmed. I don't have money to travel to Ambira in Siaya County," she said. She added that sending a child to school without essentials would traumatize her. Difficult to implement Education stakeholders have echoed her concerns. Former Kisumu County KUPPET Secretary Zablon Awange described the directive as difficult to implement. "Grade 10 admission to senior school is still characterized by confusion, chaos and anarchy, a testimony of the Ministry of Education's failure to plan," he said. Awange argued that asking learners to report without uniforms or learning materials is a structureless approach. "Despite the presidential directive that all students must just report without a uniform, it solves only surface-level problems rather than the underlying challenges. What about beddings, books and writing materials? Transition alone is insufficient; retention should be the focus," he said. He also warned that the policy may not be sustainable. Schools might be forced to demand fees next term, pushing many needy students to drop out. "Most students arbitrarily admitted through presidential decree may be chased away early in the second term for fees and disappear for good. The government must provide structured support, including bursaries and full scholarships for such cases," Awange said. Several principals echoed these concerns, noting that feeding entire school populations would be a nightmare without government support. "There is a reason fees are paid across the country. The government has thrown us into a hole," said a principal in Kakamega County. Despite the challenges, Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Ogamba claimed at Gusii Stadium in Kisii that the government had achieved a 96 per cent enrollment rate, up from 94 per cent two weeks earlier. According to Ogamba, 1.1 million learners have joined Grade 10 in various schools, with more expected to enrol to reach 100 per cent."The caution in the air remains that any principal who turns away learners for lack of necessities risks losing their job. Students must be listed in their respective schools," the CS said. However, confusion persists among school administrators. Many report difficulties admitting learners without basic requirements. A principal from Nyamira County, speaking on condition of anonymity, said 50 students had already shown up with nothing, relying on the directive for unconditional admission. "How do we sustain such learners in school? What resources are available, and how can we implement this without adequate funding?" the principal asked. County Education Director Joshua Kaga confirmed that National Government Officers were helping implement the directive, actively enrolling learners from villages. "We are working closely with NGAO officers to ensure all students are enlisted in their admitted schools," he said. Even where enrollment improved after the directive, schools have been left bearing the brunt. At Ramba Boys Senior School in Siaya County, Principal Dr Patrick Odhiambo said the school is ready infrastructure-wise but expressed concern over delayed funding. The move has been widely praised for protecting the right to education, but many school heads and education stakeholders warn it has shifted the burden of systemic underfunding onto already struggling institutions. Boarding school principals report that parents often interpreted the directive as a waiver on fees altogether, bringing children to school empty-handed. "We have been overwhelmed. Parents are coming with their children without a single cent, no bedding, no uniform. How do you admit a student under such conditions?" said a boarding school principal in Nyeri County. A principal in Makueni County warned that the directive weakens schools' ability to collect fees. "Whenever the government releases some funds, a circular or directive follows. Parents then stop paying, arrears pile up and auditors accuse us of poor management," the principal said. Currently, parents owe secondary schools an estimated Sh72 billion in unpaid fees, according to education stakeholders. Many argue that the directive, though well-intentioned, ignores the reality that schools are already owed huge sums in capitation arrears. "Why would the President order students to report when institutions meant to receive them are on their knees?" asked James Kariuki, an education analyst. "The government owes each learner about Sh6,000 from last year, including over 993,000 KCSE candidates. This is like putting a bandage on a festering wound." Martha Akoth, a stakeholder in the education sector, said delayed government disbursements have pushed schools into financial paralysis. "Schools cannot pay suppliers, staff salaries, or maintain infrastructure. Directing headteachers to admit students without fees only aggravates an already dire situation," she said. A principal from Mombasa said the government still owes each learner Sh3,000 for this term, on top of last term's Sh6,000. "Access to education without adequate support cannot guarantee quality learning," the principal emphasized. While flexibility on uniforms has helped needy families, some educators worry about long-term effects. "Uniforms are not just about appearance; they instil identity, discipline, and equality. Treating them as optional reflects a casual attitude toward educational standards," said a senior teacher in Kiambu County. Principals also warn that admitting students without basic items may increase theft, bullying, and demoralisation. Despite the challenges, most school heads feel compelled to comply. KESSHA chairman Willie Kuria said principals are not turning students away. Boarding schools are increasingly preferred over day schools. Emusire Boys High and Ebusakami Girls High have admitted bright but needy students, providing essentials while allowing parents to pay later. Education analyst Joseph Tanui warned that unfunded directives risk harming the learners they aim to protect. [Reports by Mike Kihaki, Clinton Ambujo, Stanley Ongwae and Phares Mutembei]

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