Africa-Press – Kenya. Basic education institutions across the country are set to reopen for the 2026 academic year on Monday, January 5, as the government moves to ensure a smooth start to the school calendar through timely funding and placement arrangements.
In a press statement issued January 2, 2026, Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Ogamba confirmed that all public basic education schools are expected to resume learning as scheduled.
He said Ministry of Education field officers, working under the Regional and County Directors of Education, will be on the ground to monitor compliance with the academic calendar as schools reopen.
The CS also provided an update on the placement of learners into Grade 10 of Senior School under the Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC).
He noted that the first revision of Grade 10 placements was completed on December 29, 2025, with joining instructions for successfully placed learners made available on the Ministry’s placement portal from December 30, 2025.
Parents, guardians and learners seeking a review of placements will have another opportunity between January 6 and January 9, 2026.
Ogamba explained that the review window is intended to address genuine and verifiable cases, allowing families to present valid reasons for reconsideration of either the initial or revised placement.
Requests for further review may be initiated through a learner’s Junior School or the Senior School of interest and must be submitted by the head of institution.
“The requests shall be submitted by the Head of Institution through the placement portal and duly processed in accordance with the protocols that have already been issued by the Ministry,” the statement reads.
To support uninterrupted learning, the government has released a total of Sh44.245 billion as capitation for Term One of the 2026 academic year for all public basic education institutions.
The funds have been distributed across different levels, with Sh3.7 billion allocated to Free Primary Education, Sh14.46 billion to Free Day Junior School Education, and Sh26.08 billion to Free Day Secondary Education.
The capitation, Ogamba said, will facilitate the seamless running of school activities from the start of the term on January 5.
Grade 10 learners are expected to report to their respective Senior Schools beginning January 12, 2026.
The CS reaffirmed the government’s commitment to the constitutional right to education, citing Article 53 of the Constitution, which guarantees every child free and compulsory basic education.
To provide clarity on the financing of senior schools, the Ministry has issued a circular dated January 2, 2026, confirming that fees payable by learners in senior schools remain unchanged.
The government will continue to provide capitation at a rate of Sh22,244 per learner per year.
Ogamba cautioned school heads and principals to ensure prudent use of public funds and warned against the imposition of extra levies or fees.
“School heads and principals are directed to ensure prudent use of these public resources entrusted to their care for the benefit of learners, and to desist from imposing any extra levies or fees,” he said.
He said the Ministry will take firm action against any verified cases of misappropriation of resources or illegal charges, emphasizing that all funds must be used strictly for the benefit of learners.
The statement underscores the government’s focus on stability, access and accountability as the 2026 academic year begins.
