Day scholars to transition into boarding schools starting January 2026

Beginning January 2026, all boarding secondary schools in Kenya will be required to enroll a portion of day scholars as part of new Ministry of Education guidelines aimed at integrating the first Grade 10 class under the Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC).

According to the directive, a minimum of 10% of each boarding school's student population must consist of day scholars.

The policy is designed to ease overcrowding in boarding institutions, broaden access to senior secondary education, and support the goal of achieving a 100 percent transition rate.

Dubbed "Day Wings in Boarding Schools," the initiative aims to separate student admission from the traditional limitation of bed space, which has long hindered enrollment in crowded boarding facilities.

According to the Ministry of Education, working through the Kenya Institute of Curriculum Development (KICD), the move is intended to make better use of existing resources and challenge the common perception that boarding students perform better than their day-school counterparts.

The guidelines specify that admission of learners will be determined by merit, commuting feasibility, and adherence to school regulations.

Students must opt for the day wing during the school placement process.

Parents or guardians of day scholars will be responsible for covering meal costs while their children are at school and are expected to actively participate in overseeing their discipline and attendance.

Schools will need to oversee the daily arrival and departure of day students, prompting concerns about safety, infrastructure capacity, and increased administrative responsibilities.

However, day and boarding students will wear identical uniforms and be fully integrated into the school community, aiming to prevent any stigma or social division based on student status.

Students admitted as day scholars will maintain that status for the duration of their time at the school, unless a formal review leads to a change.

The proposal has sparked mixed responses, with some school leaders expressing worries about potential security challenges.

Willie Kuria, representing the Kenya Secondary School Heads Association (KESSHA), highlighted concerns regarding the practical aspects of implementation, particularly in relation to safety and logistical management.

Kuria also emphasized the need for clear legal guidelines to define the responsibilities of parents versus the accountability of schools when it comes to managing day students.

"We support the goal of expanding access, but there must be clear policies on managing day scholars within boarding schools. Schools need guidance on how to operate the day wings effectively and prevent security breaches or illegal activities like smuggling contraband. Without such measures, the situation could become chaotic," Kuria said.

However, Moses Nthurima, Deputy Secretary General of the Kenya Union of Post Primary Education Teachers (KUPPET), expressed support for the proposal, highlighting that it would contribute positively to the overall development of learners.

Nthurima noted that the initiative would enhance parental involvement, a key component in the success of the Competency-Based Curriculum system.

He urged the Ministry to establish clear guidelines to safeguard learners both inside and outside school premises.

"There must be a defined framework outlining who is responsible once a student leaves the school gate. Otherwise, school heads will bear the blame if anything goes wrong," he warned.

This proposal echoes a similar 2020 initiative by the Ministry of Education that aimed to introduce day wings in top national schools to ease overcrowding caused by the 100 percent transition policy.

Under that directive, 19 national schools, including Nairobi School, St. George’s, Lenana, Kenya High School, Moi Forces Academy, Starehe Boys’ Centre, and Pangani Girls High School, were instructed to admit day scholars.

The move was designed to expand capacity and address boarding space shortages, especially within the free day secondary education program.

However, some schools, like Starehe Boys’ Centre, resisted the change, refusing to admit day students.

At the time, Education Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang’i said the plan would be rolled out gradually, starting in Nairobi before expanding to other counties.

The directive attracted a large number of applications from students eager to join as day scholars.

Ultimately, the rollout was disrupted by the nine-month school closures triggered by the COVID-19 pandemic, stalling the initiative.