The Kenyan Ministry of Education is developing a revised fee structure for senior schools as Grade 9 learners prepare to advance to Grade 10 in 2026 under the Competence-Based Curriculum. Officials emphasize affordability to ensure equitable access for over one million students. The structure will account for specialized pathways like STEM and arts.
As Kenya gears up for a major milestone in its education system, the Ministry of Education is finalizing a new fee framework for senior schools. This comes ahead of the 2026 transition, when more than one million Grade 9 learners will join Grade 10, marking the full rollout of the Competence-Based Curriculum (CBC).
William Sugut, Director of Secondary Education, explained that a team comprising school principals and ministry officials is actively revising the fees. “There is a team working on the fee structure with principals. Shortly, we will be communicating the new figures. But definitely, it will be something affordable to ensure all children can access education,” Sugut stated.
The updated structure will consider the three senior school pathways: Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM); Social Sciences; and Arts and Sports. Fees will vary by school clusters to promote equity, addressing concerns as the transition approaches in January 2026. The framework will be released upon completion of the review.
Under CBC, senior school spans Grades 10-12, focusing on practical skills aligned with career paths. Compulsory subjects include Kiswahili, English, Physical Education, and Community Service Learning. By the end of this phase, students will be prepared to specialize professionally.
This effort builds on 2023 reforms under President William Ruto's administration, which streamlined learning areas: from nine to seven in lower primary, ten to eight in upper primary, and fourteen to nine in junior secondary. These changes aim to make education more efficient and accessible nationwide.