The Ministry of Education has dismissed claims that boarding fees in public senior schools have been increased ahead of the 2026 academic year, urging parents to ignore the reports.

In a statement released on Thursday, Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Ogamba described the reports as “misleading and inaccurate”, insisting that no revisions had been made to the existing fee structure.

“Our attention has been drawn to reports in sections of the media suggesting that boarding fees payable by learners in public senior schools have been revised upwards,” the statement read. “Parents, learners, and the general public are hereby notified that there has been no revision of boarding fees.”

Current Rates Remain in Force

Ogamba reaffirmed that the government’s approved boarding fee rates remain in force and that the state continues to support learners through its capitation programme.

He emphasised that the approved capitation rate for senior schools remains at KSh 22,244 per learner annually, part of the government’s ongoing effort to make education affordable and accessible.

“The government remains committed to ensuring that every child has access to quality education without financial barriers,” the CS said.

Reports of Fee Review Dismissed

The clarification follows widespread speculation that the government intended to impose a standard annual fee of KSh 53,000 for boarding schools, replacing the current model that allows schools to set individual rates.

The Education Ministry, however, categorically denied such plans, calling the claims “baseless”.

Court Ruling on Unauthorised Levies

The debate over school charges comes months after a High Court ruling on June 16 barred principals from introducing new levies without approval from the Education CS.

The ruling followed a petition by a Nairobi parent, raising concerns about unauthorised levies often imposed by some school heads under the guise of development or remedial programmes.

While such fees are sometimes used to fund school infrastructure, lunch programmes, or extracurricular activities, critics say the practice burdens parents and undermines efforts to make education equitable.

Calls for Transparency

Education stakeholders have repeatedly urged the government to rein in schools that exploit loopholes in the system to impose extra charges.

Ogamba said the Ministry would remain vigilant in monitoring compliance, adding that transparency and accountability were key to maintaining public trust in the education system.

For now, the Ministry’s position is clear: no new fees, no hidden charges—only the approved government structure remains in place.