Learners have returned to classrooms for the final term of the 2026 academic year after the government released Sh18.5 billion to help public basic education institutions meet their operational needs.
Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Migos Ogamba on Monday said the exact amount sent to schools was Sh18,508,271,486.60, covering pre-primary, primary, junior and senior schools.
The allocation is spread across three key programmes. Free Primary Education will receive Sh1.4 billion, while Sh6.14 billion has been set aside for Free Day Junior School Education and Sh10.96 billion for Free Day Secondary Education.
Ogamba said the funding would help schools run their programmes while ensuring learners continue to enjoy their right to free and compulsory basic education.
“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.
The CS asked school heads and principals to manage the funds responsibly and ensure the money is used for the intended purpose and in the best interests of learners.
He further cautioned schools against introducing fees that have not been approved by the Ministry of Education.
According to Ogamba, institutions found diverting capitation funds or collecting illegal charges from parents will face action.
“As a ministry, we will deal firmly with any verified cases of misappropriation of resources and the imposition of unauthorised levies,” he said.
The funds are expected to help schools meet their needs and maintain normal learning activities throughout the term.
The third term for pre-primary, primary, junior, senior and secondary schools started on August 24 and will end on October 23, 2026. The term will last nine weeks.
Diploma teacher training colleges also resumed classes on August 24, with their academic term expected to run until November 6, 2026.
The Ministry of Education said national assessments and examinations will continue under the existing timetable. KPSEA, KILEA, KJSEA, KPLEA and KCSE activities are expected to begin from October 26, 2026.
Schools will also continue observing the ban on extracurricular activities and visits to secondary schools throughout the third term.
The ministry has asked parents, teachers and learners to be careful about information shared online, urging them to depend on official communication from the Ministry of Education.
The third term is the shortest period in the 2026 school calendar, lasting nine weeks, but it comes with several major academic activities as learners approach the end of the year.
The government had earlier announced major capitation releases during the first two terms.
When schools opened for the first term on January 5, the government said Sh44.2 billion had been released, representing half of the annual allocation.
A further Sh23.4 billion was announced in early May ahead of the second-term reopening. The funds were meant to support Free Primary Education, Free Day Junior School Education and Free Day Secondary Education.