NAIROBI, Kenya, Dec 31 — The Ministry of Education has reaffirmed the government’s commitment to free day secondary education, stating that parents will continue to pay zero tuition as the State provides Sh22,244 per learner annually, while boarding charges remain capped at Sh53,554 for school in urban areas.The ministry dismissed claims that school fees for public secondary and senior schools had been increased by Sh9,374, terming the reports “false and misleading.”In a statement issued Wednesday, Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Migos Ogamba said the existing fees framework remains unchanged and that the Free Day Secondary Education (FDSE) programme continues to be fully funded by the government.“The Ministry of Education categorically clarifies that there has been no increase in school fees for public secondary or senior schools. Claims that school fees have been increased by Sh 9,374 are false and misleading,” Ogamba said.“The government continues to provide KSh 22,244 per learner per year as capitation to cover tuition-related vote heads, with zero tuition obligation on parents, as operationalised through existing Gazette Notices and Ministry circulars.”The ministry explained that while Kenya Gazette Notice No. 1555 of 2015 initially required parents of day secondary learners to contribute Sh9,374 annually alongside a government subsidy of Sh12,870, the arrangement was superseded by the full rollout of FDSE.Boarding fees capped Under the current framework, tuition costs are removed entirely from parents, with government capitation increased to Sh22,244 per learner per year.Ogamba said the policy applies to all learners in public secondary schools, including boarders, noting that boarding students only pay approved boarding fees while tuition is fully covered by the State.On boarding charges, the ministry said fee ceilings remain unchanged: boarding schools in major urban centres can charge up to Sh53,554 per year, other boarding schools up to Sh40,535, while special needs schools charge Sh12,790. No school is permitted to exceed the limits.The ministry also clarified that the transition from the former classification of National, Extra-County, County, and Sub-County schools to clusters C1 to C4 is purely structural and does not introduce any new fees.Ogamba warned that any school imposing unauthorised levies would face administrative and disciplinary action, urging parents and guardians to report such cases to education authorities.The clarification follows a similar statement issued on November 6, 2025, which the ministry said remains in force. Parents were advised to rely on official joining instructions, which reflect zero fees for public day secondary and C4 day senior schools.