The Ministry of Education has officially gazetted a new Senior School Fees Structure, setting clear guidelines on what public senior schools across Kenya can and cannot charge learners under both the Competency-Based Education (CBE) system and the 8-4-4 system. The announcement, published in the Kenya Gazette dated 6th February 2026 under Gazette Notice No. 1449, outlines approved fee ceilings for Day Senior Schools, Boarding Senior Schools, and Special Needs Schools.
The revised structure provides a detailed breakdown of government contributions and any allowable parental contributions, while firmly prohibiting public schools from charging tuition fees or levies beyond the stipulated amounts.
This development is expected to significantly impact parents, school administrators, and education stakeholders nationwide, especially as the country continues transitioning to the Competency-Based Curriculum framework.
Legal Framework Behind the New Fees
The gazettement is anchored in Section 29 (1) and (2) of the Basic Education Act (Cap. 211). In line with the law, the Cabinet Secretary for Education issued the new fees structure to regulate charges in all public senior schools in Kenya.
The Gazette notice explicitly states that no public school shall charge tuition fees or any additional levies contrary to the stipulated fee structure. Schools charging below the approved ceilings are encouraged to maintain their rates.
Additionally, any future variation to the fees must receive approval from the Cabinet Secretary and be gazetted accordingly.
The new fees structure takes effect from 5th January 2026.
A. Day Senior Schools Fees Structure
For Day Senior Schools, the government will shoulder the full cost of tuition and other learning-related expenses. Parents will not be required to pay any additional fees under the approved structure.
Approved Day Senior School Fees
| Vote Head | Government (KSh.) | Parent (KSh.) |
|---|---|---|
| Tuition | 4,144 | 0 |
| Activity Fees | 1,500 | 0 |
| Medical and Insurance | 2,000 | 0 |
| SMASSE | 200 | 0 |
| Other Vote Heads (I.T.&T., Admin, EWC, P.E.) | 9,400 | 0 |
| Maintenance and Improvement | 5,000 | 0 |
| Total | 22,244 | 0 |
Key Highlights for Day Schools
- Total annual allocation per learner: KSh. 22,244
- Parents pay zero fees
- Government covers tuition, maintenance, medical insurance, and activity costs
- Applies to learners under both CBE and 8-4-4 systems
This structure reinforces the government’s commitment to affordable education and ensures access to senior school education for learners in day institutions.
B. Boarding Senior Schools Fees Structure
Boarding schools have been categorized into two groups based on previously approved maximum fees:
- Schools previously approved for a maximum of KSh. 53,554
- Schools previously approved for a maximum of KSh. 40,535
The new structure clarifies how much is covered by government funding and how much parents are expected to contribute.
(i) Schools Previously Approved for a Maximum of KSh. 53,554
Breakdown
| Vote Head | Government (KSh.) | Parent (KSh.) | Total (KSh.) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Teaching, Learning Materials & Exams | 4,144 | 0 | 4,144 |
| Boarding Equipment and Stores | 0 | 30,385 | 30,385 |
| Maintenance and Improvement | 5,000 | 2,000 | 7,000 |
| Other Vote Heads (I.T.&T., Admin, EWC, P.E.) | 9,400 | 20,371 | 29,771 |
| Activity Fees | 1,500 | 795 | 2,295 |
| Medical and Insurance | 2,000 | 0 | 2,000 |
| SMASSE | 200 | 0 | 200 |
| Total | 22,244 | 53,554 | 75,798 |
What This Means
- Government contributes KSh. 22,244 per learner.
- Parents contribute up to KSh. 53,554.
- Maximum total payable per learner: KSh. 75,798.
The bulk of parental contribution goes toward boarding equipment and stores, as well as other administrative and operational costs.
(ii) Schools Previously Approved for a Maximum of KSh. 40,535
Breakdown
| Vote Head | Government (KSh.) | Parent (KSh.) | Total (KSh.) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Teaching, Learning Materials & Exams | 4,144 | 0 | 4,144 |
| Boarding Equipment and Stores | 0 | 25,385 | 25,385 |
| Maintenance and Improvement | 5,000 | 2,000 | 7,000 |
| Other Vote Heads (I.T.&T., Admin, EWC, P.E.) | 9,400 | 12,900 | 22,300 |
| Activity Fees | 1,500 | 250 | 1,750 |
| Medical and Insurance | 2,000 | 0 | 2,000 |
| SMASSE | 200 | 0 | 200 |
| Total | 22,244 | 40,535 | 62,779 |
What Parents Should Know
- Government funding remains KSh. 22,244 per learner.
- Parental contribution capped at KSh. 40,535.
- Total maximum payable per learner: KSh. 62,779.
This category applies to boarding schools with previously lower approved fee ceilings.
C. Special Needs Schools Fees Structure
The Gazette also provides a separate fee structure for Special Needs Schools, recognizing the unique requirements of learners with disabilities.
Approved Special Needs Schools Fees
| Vote Head | Government (KSh.) | Parent (KSh.) | Total (KSh.) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Teaching, Learning Materials & Exams | 4,144 | 0 | 4,144 |
| Boarding Equipment and Stores | 23,220 | 10,790 | 34,010 |
| Maintenance and Improvement | 5,000 | 2,000 | 7,000 |
| Other Vote Heads (I.T.&T., Admin, EWC, P.E.) | 9,400 | 0 | 9,400 |
| Activity Fees | 1,500 | 0 | 1,500 |
| Medical and Insurance | 2,000 | 0 | 2,000 |
| Top Up | 12,510 | 0 | 12,510 |
| SMASSE | 200 | 0 | 200 |
| Total | 57,974 | 12,790 | 70,764 |
Key Observations
- Government contributes significantly higher funding: KSh. 57,974 per learner.
- Parents contribute KSh. 12,790.
- Total maximum payable: KSh. 70,764.
The higher government allocation reflects additional costs associated with assistive devices, specialized equipment, and enhanced care services.
Fees Payment Terms
The Gazette notice clearly states:
- The fees structure took effect from 5th January 2026.
- Schools must spread fees across the three school terms at a ratio of 50:30:20.
- No public school may charge tuition fees or extra levies beyond the approved structure.
- Any variation must be approved by the Cabinet Secretary and gazetted accordingly.
- Gazette Notice No. 1555 of 2015 has been revoked.
This provides clarity and consistency in fee collection nationwide.
Implications for Parents and Schools
1. Greater Transparency
The gazetted structure ensures transparency in fee charging. Parents can now verify school fee demands against the official Kenya Gazette publication.
2. Protection Against Illegal Levies
The explicit prohibition against charging additional tuition or extra levies safeguards parents from unauthorized financial burdens.
3. Support for Day Schools
By fully covering day school fees, the government strengthens equitable access to education, particularly for learners from low-income households.
4. Standardization Across Institutions
The structured approach eliminates ambiguity and standardizes funding allocations for senior schools across Kenya.
5. Increased Support for Special Needs Learners
The significantly higher government allocation to Special Needs Schools highlights the ministry’s commitment to inclusive education.
What This Means Under Competency-Based Education (CBE)
As Kenya continues transitioning to the Competency-Based Curriculum, senior school education plays a critical role in shaping learners’ career pathways.
The fees structure aligns with:
- Resource-intensive learning approaches
- Skills-based assessment systems
- Expanded activity and practical components
- Technological and digital integration under I.T.&T.
The allocation under “Other Vote Heads” (I.T.&T., Admin, EWC, P.E.) suggests continued investment in technology integration and holistic learner development.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Are Day Senior Schools completely free?
Yes. Under the new structure, parents do not pay any fees for Day Senior Schools.
2. Can schools introduce development fees?
No. The Gazette explicitly prohibits charging fees beyond the approved structure.
3. When did the structure take effect?
It took effect from 5th January 2026.
4. How are fees distributed across terms?
Schools must spread fees in a 50:30:20 ratio across the three school terms.
5. What happens if a school charges extra levies?
Such charges would be unlawful unless approved by the Cabinet Secretary and officially gazetted.
Conclusion
The gazettement of the new Senior School Fees Structure marks a significant milestone in Kenya’s education reforms. By clearly outlining government contributions and parental responsibilities, the Ministry of Education has strengthened transparency, fairness, and accountability in fee management.
For Day Senior Schools, education is fully government-funded. Boarding schools have clearly defined caps depending on previous approvals. Special Needs Schools receive enhanced funding to meet unique educational demands.
Parents are encouraged to review the official fee structure and ensure compliance by their respective schools. With the structure now legally in effect, schools are bound to adhere strictly to the gazetted guidelines.
This move signals a continued push toward accessible, equitable, and inclusive senior school education across Kenya.
