President Ruto Directs All Students to Resume Classes on Friday Regardless of Fees or Uniforms
President William Ruto has issued a firm directive ordering every learner across the country to report back to school starting this Friday for the first term, irrespective of outstanding school fees, lack of uniforms, or any other financial barriers.
The Head of State made the announcement while addressing residents in Meru County during the disbursement of funds under the National Youth Opportunities Towards Advancement (NYOTA) programme, which provides business startup capital to young entrepreneurs.
President Ruto emphasized that the government has already released KSh 44 billion in capitation funds to public schools nationwide this financial year. He stressed that no child should be turned away from class or denied the right to education due to inability to pay fees.
“No learner should be kept out of school because of school fees or lack of uniform,” he declared. “We have disbursed KSh 44 billion for capitation — that money is meant to ensure every child accesses education without hindrance.”
To enforce the order, the President instructed all provincial administration officers, from chiefs to deputy county commissioners, to work closely with school heads and education officers to guarantee full compliance. He warned that any school or official blocking students from resuming classes on financial grounds would face serious consequences.
The directive aligns with the government’s ongoing push to achieve 100% transition and retention in basic education under the Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC) framework. It also comes amid reports from various counties of some schools still turning away pupils over unpaid fees despite repeated government reminders and funding allocations.
President Ruto reiterated that education remains a basic right enshrined in the Constitution and that the state has a duty to remove all obstacles preventing children from attending school.
The announcement has been welcomed by education stakeholders and parents’ associations, many of whom have long called for stricter enforcement against illegal exclusion practices. School reopening is now set to proceed as scheduled, with learners expected in class from Friday onwards.
