The Ministry of Education has officially confirmed the commencement dates for the 2026 Academic Year, establishing a staggered reporting schedule for learners. In a press statement released on Friday, Cabinet Secretary Julius Migos Ogamba outlined the timelines for the general reopening of schools, the specific reporting date for Grade 10 learners, and the disbursement of capitation funds.
School Reopening Dates
According to the Ministry, all basic education institutions are scheduled to reopen for Term One on Monday, 5th January, 2026. This directive applies to all learners in primary and junior secondary levels.
However, a separate timeline has been issued for the pioneer class of the new Senior School level. Learners transitioning to Grade 10 are expected to report to their respective Senior Schools one week later, on Monday, 12th January, 2026.
Grade 10 Placement and Revision Window
The Ministry confirmed that the first revision of placements for Grade 10 was completed on 29th December, 2025. Joining instructions for students who have already been placed are currently available on the placement portal (www.placement.education.go.ke).
For learners and guardians seeking to change their placement, the Ministry has opened a review window that runs from 6th January, 2026 to 9th January, 2026.
The process for this review requires specific procedural steps:
- Requests cannot be initiated solely by the parent or student.
- The review must be initiated through the learner’s former Junior School or at the Senior School of interest.
- The actual submission of the request on the portal must be handled by the Head of the Institution.
This timeline allows for a four-day processing period before Grade 10 learners report on the 12th.
Disbursement of KES 44.2 Billion
Alongside the schedule, the Government announced the release of KES 44,245,066,500.85 to cover capitation for Term 1, 2026. The funds have been distributed across the three levels of basic education as follows:
| Education Level | Allocation (KES) |
| Free Primary Education | 3,703,074,646.10 |
| Free Day Junior School Education | 14,459,193,520.00 |
| Free Day Secondary Education | 26,082,798,334.75 |
| Total | 44,245,066,500.85 |
Senior School Fee Guidelines
The statement also addressed the fee structure for the incoming Senior School class. Referencing a circular dated 2nd January 2026, the Ministry affirmed that the fees payable by learners in Senior Schools remain unchanged.
Furthermore, the Government confirmed it will continue to support these learners through a capitation grant of KES 22,244 per learner per year. The Cabinet Secretary directed school heads to adhere strictly to these guidelines and avoid the imposition of extra levies.
