Last reviewed: 18 October 2026
Public junior schools (Grades 7, 8 and 9) are funded by the government through Free Day Junior School Education (FDJSE). Parents should not be paying tuition or levies. The Ministry of Education’s 2026 circulars say so in capitals: junior schools “are NOT allowed to charge any other fee/levies” and “are NOT allowed to charge for lunch programme”. This guide sets out what the government released per learner in 2026, what that money is meant to cover, and what to do if your child’s school asks for more. It is current as of October 2026.
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How Junior Schools Are Funded
Each term, the Principal Secretary for Basic Education issues a circular to County Directors of Education announcing the FDJSE release. Each release has two parts:
- an amount per learner, split into operations and tuition vote heads; and
- a fixed basic allocation per school, for running costs that do not depend on enrolment.
Some items, such as textbooks from KICD and SMASSE training, are bought centrally, so that part never reaches the school’s bank account.
Term 1, 2026: KSh 4,193.07 per Learner
The circular dated 6 January 2026 (ref. MOE.HQS/3/7/33(17)) released KSh 4,193.07 per learner plus KSh 92,490.33 per school (circular as reproduced by Arena). Per learner, the money was split as follows:
| Vote head | To school (KSh) | Central (KSh) | Total (KSh) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Repairs, maintenance and improvement | 1,600.00 | – | 1,600.00 |
| Administrative costs | 130.00 | – | 130.00 |
| Co-curricular activities | 100.00 | 250.00 | 350.00 |
| Local transport and travel | 140.00 | – | 140.00 |
| Medical and insurance | 77.71 | – | 77.71 |
| Operations subtotal | 2,047.71 | 250.00 | 2,297.71 |
| Capacity building (SMASSE) | – | 50.00 | 50.00 |
| Textbooks and supplementary readers (KICD) | – | 795.67 | 795.67 |
| Laboratory materials | 119.25 | – | 119.25 |
| Materials for practicals under CBC | 300.00 | – | 300.00 |
| Assessment | 130.05 | – | 130.05 |
| Stationery/writing materials | 500.39 | – | 500.39 |
| Tuition subtotal | 1,049.69 | 845.67 | 1,895.36 |
The basic allocation per school covered postage, telephone and Board of Management meetings (KSh 22,937.23), electricity and water (KSh 3,000), internet (KSh 9,375), personal emoluments (KSh 55,250.23) and reference materials (KSh 1,928.10).
Term 3, 2026: KSh 1,501.64 per Learner
The circular dated 19 August 2026 (ref. MOE.HQs/3/7/33 (15)) released KSh 1,501.64 per learner and KSh 38,216.97 per school (circular as reproduced by Arena). Per learner, operations got KSh 999 and tuition KSh 746.64. Of the tuition money, KSh 502.64 went to schools and KSh 244 was held for central procurement (KSh 224 for KICD textbooks and KSh 20 for SMASSE). Note how the headline figures are built. In Term 3, the KSh 1,501.64 equals the amount disbursed to schools (999 + 502.64), with the central KSh 244 on top. In Term 1, the KSh 4,193.07 headline included the centrally procured items. The circular adds that from the next term all disbursements will be based on the Kenya Education Management Information System (KEMIS), so make sure your child’s school has their details right.
What About Term 2 and the Annual Total?
We have not been able to see the Term 2, 2026 circular itself, so we do not quote a Term 2 figure here. Reported amounts vary, and we will not guess. In January 2026, the Education CS said junior schools receive about KSh 15,000 per learner a year (Kenyans.co.ke). The two circulars above (KSh 4,193.07 and KSh 1,501.64) show that the amount actually released varies widely by term. If your school says it is short of funds, ask what it received; the circular requires schools to post the amounts received on their notice boards.
The Rules for Schools
The Term 3 circular sets out the “financial obligations” of junior schools:
- Junior schools may not charge any other fees or levies.
- Junior schools may not charge for a lunch programme.
- They may not enter financial contracts, such as hire purchase or bank loans, without the CS’s written approval.
- They must keep separate tuition, operations and infrastructure accounts. The tuition account is for teaching and learning materials only.
- Every learner must be issued an official receipt for the allocation, and learners sign class lists acknowledging it.
- Schools must post the amounts received on their notice boards.
The head teacher is the accounting officer, and the Board of Management is responsible for prudent use of the funds.
What Parents May Still Pay For
FDJSE does not buy everything. Uniform, shoes, a school bag, personal stationery beyond what the school provides, and transport to school are normally family costs. Some schools also ask for contributions agreed at an annual general meeting. In January 2026 the CS said any extra charge needs parents’ agreement at an AGM and Ministry approval (Kenyans.co.ke). The circular itself is stricter, saying junior schools are not allowed to charge any other fee or levy. If in doubt, ask for the approval letter. Our guide to hidden CBC costs covers project materials and other costs.
If Your Child’s School Is Charging Fees
- Ask for the charge in writing, with its purpose and the approval it relies on.
- Compare it with the circular. Tuition, lunch and general levies are not allowed in public junior schools.
- Raise it with the Board of Management or Parents’ Association.
- If it is not resolved, go to the Sub-County Director of Education.
- Demands for bribes or illegal levies can be reported to education offices or the police, as the CS has urged.
Private Junior Schools
None of this applies to private schools, which set their own fees. For examples from schools’ published fee structures, see our private CBC school fees guide and the school fees hub. When your child moves on to Grade 10, see senior school fees 2026.
Sources
- Ministry of Education, Release of FDJSE Funds First Term 2026 (6 January 2026), reproduced by Arena.
- Ministry of Education, Release of FDJSE Funds Third Term 2026 (19 August 2026), reproduced by Arena.