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PS Bitok: Order to report for Grade 10 without fees not exemption from paying later
Basic Education Principal Secretary Julius Bitok at Moi Girls Isinya during the launch of the Sh20 billion Elimu Scholarship Programme on January 23, 2026.
Grad 10 learners who report to senior school without fees or uniforms have not been exempted from the payments, Basic Education Principal Secretary (PS) Julius Bitok has said.
Prof Bitok clarified that President William Ruto’s directive allowing learners to report to senior schools without fees or uniforms was not an exemption from payment but a temporary relief to give parents time to settle their obligations.
The President issued the directive on Thursday, ordering school heads to admit all learners unconditionally to ensure full transition to senior secondary education.
Speaking at Moi Girls Isinya during the launch of the Sh20 billion Elimu Scholarship Programme targeting 44,000 learners nationwide, the PS said learners reporting without fees would be granted a grace period as parents mobilise resources.
“This is not free education. Parents will be given time to buy uniforms, meet other requirements and eventually pay the stipulated fees. Day schooling remains free apart from lunch and uniforms,” Prof Bitok said.
He disclosed that 91 per cent of the 1,130,459 candidates who sat the 2025 Kenya Junior Secondary Education Assessment (KJSEA) have already joined Grade 10. Local administrators have been instructed to conduct village-to-village follow-ups to achieve 100 per cent transition within a month.
According to Prof Bitok, delayed reporting has largely been driven by financial challenges, but the government has put in place measures to support affected families.
He added that public schools have adequate capacity to admit learners even where fees have not been paid, noting that capitation funds had been released on time this year.
“Every government school can accommodate learners as parents settle balances. Any principal who ignores the President’s directive will face disciplinary action,” he warned.
Prof Bitok said the Elimu Scholarship Programme would be awarded strictly on merit to support vulnerable learners. He also revealed that the government has paid Sh5.2 billion to publishers to facilitate the supply of Grade 10 textbooks countrywide.
“All senior secondary school textbooks are now available to ensure smooth learning,” he said.
Low transition
Justice Principal Secretary Judy Pareno noted that Kajiado County and other arid and semi-arid regions were recording low Grade 10 transition rates due to the ongoing drought, with rural areas most affected.
She welcomed the President’s directive, saying it would offer relief to learners from families struggling to pay school fees.
“This is an opportunity parents should take advantage of so that no child is left behind,” Ms Pareno said.
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