Pursuant to the directives issued by His Excellency President William Ruto, the Ministry of Education has promulgated the following comprehensive instructions regarding the admission of learners transitioning to Grade 10. These directives are issued to ensure that all eligible students are granted unhindered access to public secondary education, irrespective of their possession of senior school uniforms or the ability to immediately remit requisite school fees.
- Mandatory Admission of Learners: Senior school principals are hereby instructed to immediately admit all learners who have been formally placed in their institutions. No student shall be subjected to any form of discrimination, delay, or conditionality that would impede their enrollment.
- Uniform Flexibility: Learners who have not yet procured their senior school uniforms shall be permitted to report to their respective institutions attired in their junior school uniforms. Schools are expected to demonstrate understanding and flexibility in accommodating such students while maintaining the integrity of institutional routines and academic standards.
- Fee Flexibility and Optimization of Resources: All learners shall be admitted to senior school without precondition regarding the payment of school fees. School principals are advised to judiciously utilize the capitation grants disbursed to their institutions on 2nd January 2026. Parents and guardians shall be afforded the necessary latitude to fulfill their household contributions at a pace commensurate with their financial capacities, ensuring that no student is disenfranchised due to economic constraints.
- Collaboration for Learner Tracing: Heads of senior and junior schools shall, without delay, compile and share comprehensive records of all learners who have not been admitted as of the deadline of 21st January 2026. These records shall be collaboratively reviewed with Sub-County Directors of Education and National Government Administration Officers to facilitate the prompt tracing, outreach, and subsequent enrollment of such learners in senior school.
- Legal Obligation for Admission: It is expressly stated that no child shall be denied admission to a public school under any circumstances. Parents and guardians are further reminded that failure to present their children for enrollment constitutes an offence under Section 31 of the Basic Education Act, 2013, and is punishable under the law.
- Reporting of Non-Compliance: Any instance of non-adherence to the foregoing directives shall be immediately reported to the nearest Education Office or National Government Administration Office. Appropriate remedial action shall be undertaken in accordance with the provisions of the applicable legal framework.
- Data Collection and Reporting: Sub-County Directors of Education shall collect and maintain comprehensive data on all learners admitted to senior school while wearing junior school uniforms and/or without prior payment of fees. Such data shall be systematically submitted to the Ministry Headquarters to facilitate monitoring, policy formulation, and further administrative action.
The Ministry of Education reiterates its unwavering commitment to ensuring equitable access to quality education for all learners. All education officers, principals, and relevant stakeholders are expected to execute these directives with diligence, urgency, and unwavering adherence to the law.






