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Kenya’s Ministry of Education has introduced new guidelines that will see all public senior boarding schools charge a standard annual fee of Sh53,554 beginning in 2025. The new directive aims to promote fairness, transparency and accountability in the management of school finances while easing the financial burden on parents and guardians across the country.
According to the Ministry of Education Guidelines for Implementation of Senior School Education 2025, the fee structure applies to all categories of boarding schools. The government says the move aligns with its commitment to providing accessible and quality education to every Kenyan child. The guidelines require that all school fees be collected through transparent and accountable processes, with funds deposited in official bank accounts, properly recorded and used strictly for their intended purposes.
Schools will now be required to issue clear fee structures at the start of every academic year and provide receipts through designated payment channels. Parents will also be allowed to make payments in instalments, and no student should be sent home for lack of fees. In addition, schools must consult the Parents’ Association before increasing levies or initiating development projects that may require extra contributions. Boards of Management have been urged to ensure prudent use of school funds and present annual financial reports to parents, while also providing bursaries or scholarships to support needy students.
To enhance accountability, each institution will manage its finances through seven specific bank accounts. These include accounts for tuition, operations, infrastructure, School Fund, savings, income-generating activities and NGCDF or donor-funded projects. Capitation grants for tuition will be directed to the tuition account, while funds meant for infrastructure development will go to the infrastructure account. Income from school farms, cafeterias or other enterprises will also be handled separately to ensure proper record-keeping and transparency.
Every school will be required to prepare an annual budget outlining projected income and expenditure. The heads of institutions will be responsible for implementing the budget, ensuring efficient use of funds, following the Public Finance Management Act, and making timely procurement decisions. Internal control systems such as separation of duties, approval processes, regular reconciliations and audit committees will be introduced to safeguard assets and ensure compliance. Schools will also be required to submit annual financial statements to the Auditor General by September 30, with drafts reviewed by the Ministry by August 31 to ensure proper monitoring.
Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Ogamba said the government remains committed to providing education as a fundamental human right, in line with the Constitution of Kenya 2010, the Basic Education Act 2013 and global frameworks such as Sustainable Development Goal No. 4 and the African Union’s Agenda 2063. He added that the new guidelines mark a transformative phase in Kenya’s education system, one that focuses on a learner-centred approach to equip students with both academic and practical skills essential for the 21st century.
