Parents brace for fee hike as Grade 9 learners move to senior school
Education
By
Mike Kihaki
| Nov 04, 2025
Kakamega Primary School head teacher Dickson Wanyangu gives instructions to Grade 9 candidates of the KJSEA, on October 24, 2025. [Benjamin Sakwa, Standard]
As the Kenya Junior Secondary Education Assessment (KJSEA) concluded on Monday, the government has hinted that the next academic level could come with increased school fees, determined by the learning pathway each student pursues.
This is as parents across the country are preparing for a new phase in their children’s education, the transition to senior school under the Competency-Based Education (CBE).
Basic Education Principal Secretary Julius Bitok said that while school fees will largely remain stable, slight variations are expected as the new senior school system comes into effect.
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“There could be marginal differences because of the introduction of pathways, but I want to assure parents that the adjustments will be minimal,” said Dr Bitok.
The issue of school fees has been a recurring concern in Kenya’s education sector. In recent years, the government has capped fees for public secondary schools, setting the ceiling at Sh53,554 for national schools and Sh40,535 for extra-county and county schools.
However, parents have frequently complained about hidden levies and non-tuition costs such as uniforms, transport, and development fees.
In 2023 and 2024, the Ministry of Education cautioned schools against unauthorised fee increments, warning that such actions violated government policy.
Yet, with the introduction of new learning infrastructure and teaching resources under the CBE, experts predict modest cost variations may be unavoidable.
The senior school phase the final stage of basic education is expected to begin in January, focusing on specialisation through the three pathways: Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (Stem); Social Sciences; and Arts and Sports.
The KJSEA marks a critical step in the rollout of the CBE system, which shifts Kenya’s education model from an exam-oriented structure to one that nurtures skills and talents.
Speaking at the Westlands Deputy County Commissioner’s office in Nairobi where he oversaw the start of national examinations, Bitok said the proposed adjustments are guided by recommendations from the Presidential Working Party on Education Reforms (PWPER), which outlined the structure for the CBE’s senior phase.
The government is currently reviewing the financial framework to ensure the transition remains affordable for parents while sustaining quality education and infrastructure in the new system.
“The three pathways each have their own fee guidelines.
“The adjustments will be based on the recommendations, which form our baseline. We want to assure parents that any changes in school fees will be guided, transparent, and minimal,” Bitok said.
He reiterated that the Ministry of Education would maintain close monitoring of school budgets to prevent arbitrary fee increments, a concern that has lingered among parents amid rising living costs.
Bitok noted that the government’s priority remains ensuring a smooth and equitable transition from junior school to senior School.
He said all learners who sat for the KJSEA would be placed fairly in schools aligned with their chosen learning pathways.
“We have a digital system that will assist us in seamless placement to ensure accuracy and fairness,” he added.
“No learner will miss out. We have 1.12 million learners who just completed the assessment and 2.4 million available spaces in senior schools.”
He revealed that marking of KJSEA papers will begin immediately, with the process expected to take about 40 days.