President William Ruto announced the funding review at a school heads’ meeting in Mombasa.
President directs education officials to reassess per-learner funding and develop a single financing model for primary and junior schools.
President William Ruto has ordered a review to increase school capitation ahead of the January 2027 reopening. He directed education officials to submit recommendations to his office before the first term begins.
Ruto issued the directive at the Kenya Comprehensive School Heads Association annual general meeting in Mombasa on Thursday, November 12. The Ministry of Education, Teachers Service Commission (TSC) and other stakeholders will reassess how much government should allocate per learner.
He linked the review to inflation and other economic pressures that have raised school operating costs.
School capitation review targets higher allocations
The government currently allocates Ksh1,420 annually for each primary school learner and Ksh15,042 for each junior secondary learner. Meanwhile, the approved annual allocation for a senior secondary learner stands at Ksh22,244.
However, schools have struggled to receive the full secondary allocation as enrolment has grown without matching government funding. Average secondary capitation reached Ksh16,428 per learner in 2023, with subsequent allocations at around Ksh17,000.
As a result, the ministry has sought additional funding to restore payments to the approved Ksh22,244 rate. The government introduced that rate in 2018, following allocations of Ksh10,625 in 2008 and Ksh12,870 in 2015.
Higher government funding could help schools meet operating expenses and ease financial pressure on parents and guardians. It could also reduce requests for extra household contributions towards activities and basic services. However, any relief will depend on the final allocation and the funds government actually releases.
Single funding model for comprehensive schools
Ruto also directed the ministry, TSC and teachers’ unions to develop one funding model for comprehensive schools. These institutions bring primary and junior school learners together within the same school.
Under the proposed approach, the government would combine funding for both levels into a single model. The President asked the institutions and unions to work through the figures together as part of the review.
Meanwhile, Ruto urged headteachers to plan confidently as the government works towards releasing capitation before schools reopen. He expects the January recommendations to guide his decision on the proposed increase before the new term starts.
