State orders principals to admit all Grade 10 learners without fees

Education CS Julius Migos Ogamba, flags off part of the 11.8 million textbooks for Grade 10, from 21 publishers in Nairobi, on January 22, 2026. [Benard Orwongo, Standard]

The government has directed principals to admit all placed Grade 10 learners immediately, and not turn away any student over lack of school fees, uniforms, or admission requirements, even as teaching and learning officially begin on Monday, nearly two weeks after the admission process started.

The directive comes as the Ministry of Education confirmed that 92 per cent of candidates who sat the 2025 Kenya Junior School Education Assessment (KJSEA) have so far reported to senior secondary schools, translating to 1.03 million students.

This means about 90,000 students are yet to report to Grade 10.

On Thursday, Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Ogamba instructed senior school principals to allow learners without senior school uniforms to report in their Junior School uniforms. 

The CS further directed that no admission fees should be charged in public senior schools.

Principals have also been told to optimise the use of government capitation funds already disbursed, while giving parents and guardians flexibility to settle household contributions without disrupting learning.

“All learners shall be admitted to their respective senior schools without any condition as to the payment of school fees,” Ogamba said at the English Press Printing plant in Nairobi.

He spoke during the flagging of more than five million textbooks for teaching and learning in Grade 10.

“As of this Friday, we will have at least 40 per cent of the books already distributed to schools and we are already at 50 per cent or ahead of schedule,” he said. The CS has committed to provide all textbooks to senior schools by January 31.

Kenya Institute of Curriculum Development (KICD) Chief Executive Officer Prof Charles Ong’ondo said schools will receive two different textbooks for each subject to enhance versatility in learning.

He explained that for every subject, one book will account for 60 per cent of the content, while the second will cover the remaining 40 per cent.

Additionally, school heads have been instructed to submit details of learners who have not reported to their sub-county education offices to allow government officers to trace and facilitate their admission, as the ministry pushes to achieve 100 per cent transition.

Ogamba said teams have been deployed across the country to track learners who have not yet reported to school and to establish the reasons behind their absence.

“We are working closely with the Ministry of Interior and coordinating to get to learners who are yet to report to school and make sure that they report,” he said.

He further warned school heads against imposing extra levies on parents and called on parents to report school heads who are still charging more than the stipulated school fees.

Ogamba said the delayed commencement of teaching and learning was necessary to allow schools to complete admissions, stabilise enrolment numbers and receive learning materials saying that schools will be expected to move into full instruction immediately.

The confirmation comes amid growing concern from education stakeholders over the loss of learning time.  With almost two weeks already spent on reporting and administrative processes, schools now face pressure to recover lost instructional hours within a shortened teaching window.

Education experts warn the delayed start may strain teachers and learners, especially under CBE, which depends on continuous assessment and practical learning.

Usawa Agenda executive director Emmanuel Manyasa said some schools may be forced to compress syllabuses, increase lesson hours, or reduce co-curricular activities to stay on track.