In a bid to address the barriers faced by students seeking admission to senior secondary schools, Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Ogamba has issued a directive allowing the immediate admission of all Grade 10 learners. This decision, announced on Thursday, January 22, ensures that no student will be denied entry into their respective schools due to fee payment issues.
Ogamba emphasized that students without the required senior school uniforms would still be allowed to join in their junior school uniforms, removing another potential barrier to entry. This move aims to promote seamless transitions into senior secondary education, in line with President William Ruto’s earlier call for inclusive access to education. Ogamba also directed that principals utilize the capitation funds allocated by the government to support these initiatives.
As part of this effort, the CS ordered all senior and junior school heads to share information about learners who had not yet been admitted by January 21, 2026, and work in conjunction with local education officers to ensure these students were enrolled as soon as possible. Further, admission fees for all public senior secondary schools have been revoked, ensuring no student faces the financial burden of paying to be admitted.
The directive comes in response to reports of many students being unable to report to schools due to a lack of school fees or uniforms. During a separate event, President Ruto reinforced the importance of education as a right, insisting that no child should be left behind due to financial constraints.
While the government works to streamline the admission process, many students have faced challenges due to incorrect placements or the need to travel to distant schools. Additionally, extra costs for uniforms and beddings have added to the financial strain on families, with some parents revealing that they had to spend up to Ksh 40,000 to prepare their children for school. This move by Ogamba and Ruto aims to alleviate these challenges and ensure all learners have access to quality education.
