The government has announced an increase in funding for the Free Primary Education (FPE) programme starting in the 2026/2027 financial year, to cushion schools against rising costs of operations.
Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Ogamba revealed that the government will increase the per-pupil allocation from Sh1,420 to Sh2,300 annually as recommended by the Presidential Working Party on Education Reforms (PWPER).
This would be the first review of the allocation set in 2003 when the FPE programme was introduced by former President Mwai Kibaki. The increase is designed to address the persistent financial bottlenecks that have long plagued the management of public primary institutions.
The PWPER had observed that the funding for primary schools had remained stagnant for years, failing to keep pace with inflation and the high cost of instructional materials.
"First and foremost, we will ensure that what is in the policy is fully received. But we will raise the capitation for primary schools in the 2026/2027 financial year to Sh2,300 as per the PWPER. This was already passed through the working party; the other levels will remain as they were, for now," Mr Ogamba stated.
While primary schools will receive more cash, the CS assured that funding for the secondary cycle remains a priority. He reaffirmed the government’s commitment to ensuring that senior schools receive their full allocation of Sh22,244 per learner annually on time. Learners in junior school are entitled to Sh15,042 annually.
The Ministry of Education has for years faced criticism over the delayed and inadequate disbursement of funding to school, which often forces school heads to operate on credit.
However, Mr Ogamba assured Kenyans that the state is streamlining the sector to ensure funds are wired to schools on time.
"The government will ensure the Sh22,000 is received on time," the CS added during an interview with a local TV station.
The CS said the focus is now shifting toward a sustainable financing model for all levels of basic education institutions.
Parents, primary school head teachers and the Kenya National Union of Teachers, who have frequently argued that the Sh1,200 allocation was barely enough to cover basic utilities like water, electricity, and repairs in schools, welcomed the increment.
National Parents Association Chairman David Obuhatsa Silas (centre) and other members of the association.
Photo credit: File | Nation Media Group
However, the chair of the National Parents Association Silas Obuhatsa warned head teachers against imposing illegal levies.
“This increment has come at an opportune time when we are witnessing a high population of learners in our schools. But we hope the funds will be increased to Sh6,000 in future. The government is releasing capitation funding to relieve parents from paying extra levies in schools,” said Mr Obuhatsa.
The increment is expected to improve the quality of the school environment under the competency-based education (CBE), which requires more practical teaching and learning materials.
“This is long overdue. The pronouncement is welcome. We want to thank President William Ruto for making this real, out of a conversation we had with him when the teachers visited State House. Time value for money has really changed,” said the Kenya National Union of Teachers (Knut) Deputy Secretary General, Hesbon Otieno.
Hesbon Otieno, deputy secretary-general of the Kenya National Union Teachers.
Photo credit: Jared Nyataya | Nation Media Group
Mr Otieno said primary schools will now be able to meet their termly budgets. During the 2025 Kenya Primary School Heads Association (KEPSHA) conference in Mombasa, Knut and the head teachers of more than 23,000 public primary schools across the country called on the Ministry of Education to increase capitation for their learning institutions to Sh2,300 per learner to meet rising operational costs.
“Implement the recommendations of the Presidential Working Party on Education Reforms, and increase capitation to Sh2,300 per learner to cushion schools against rising operational costs,” said Kepsha chairman Mr Fuad Ali.
Kenya Primary School Heads Association chairperson Fuad Ali.
Photo credit: File | Nation Media Group
The head teachers further appealed for the timely release of school funds at the start of every term and requested dedicated financing for co-curricular activities to nurture learners’ talents.
This year, the state released the funds for free education on time before schools reopened for the 2026 academic calendar.
