State releases Sh18.5 bn capitation as schools reopen for third term

Education CS Julius Ogamba / FILE

The government has released Sh18.5 billion in capitation to public basic education institutions as schools across the country reopen for the third term of the 2026 academic year.

Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Migos Ogamba said Sh18,508,271,486.60 had been released to facilitate the smooth running of pre-primary, primary, junior and senior schools during the term.

Of the total allocation, Sh1.4 billion will go towards free primary education, while Sh6.14 billion has been allocated to free day junior school education and Sh10.96 billion to free day secondary education.

The CS said the release of the funds underscores the government's commitment to ensuring learners access free and compulsory basic education as provided for under the Constitution.

“The Government affirms its commitment to fulfil its duty to learners and educational institutions, in line with Article 53(1)(b) of the Constitution that entitles every child to free and compulsory basic education,” Ogamba said.

He directed school heads and principals to ensure the funds are used prudently and strictly for the benefit of learners.

Ogamba also warned schools against imposing unauthorised levies, saying the Ministry would take action against institutions found to have misappropriated capitation funds or charged parents illegal fees.

“As a ministry, we will deal firmly with any verified cases of misappropriation of resources and the imposition of unauthorised levies,” he said.

The government said the disbursement is intended to facilitate school operations and ensure learning activities continue without disruptions during the new term.

Term III for pre-primary, primary, junior, senior and secondary schools will run for nine weeks, from August 24 to October 23, 2026.

Academic operations at diploma teacher training colleges will also resume on August 24 and run until November 6, 2026.

The ministry said national assessments and examinations, including KPSEA, KILEA, KJSEA, KPLEA and KCSE, will proceed according to the existing schedule from October 26, 2026.

It also said extracurricular activities and visits to secondary schools will remain banned during Term III.

The ministry urged parents, teachers and learners to rely on official communication from the Ministry of Education and disregard unauthorised online notices.

At nine weeks, the third term is the shortest in the academic calendar but arguably the most demanding.

Ahead of the reopening of schools for the first term on January 5, the government said it had released Sh44.2 billion, representing 50 per cent of the annual allocation.