New Ministry Directive Streamlines Co-Curricular Funding and Governance for 2026

In the evolving landscape of Kenya’s education sector, the focus has shifted significantly toward achieving a holistic education that balances academic excellence with talent development.

The Ministry of Education, under the leadership of Education Principal Secretary Julius Bitok, has underscored that co-curricular activities—ranging from sports and drama to science fairs—are not merely recreational but are critical components of the Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC).

To ensure these vital programs thrive, the Ministry has issued a comprehensive directive streamlining the management and funding of co-curricular activities.

These guidelines provide a clear roadmap from the sub-county level to the national level, emphasizing transparency, accountability, and the absolute prohibition of parent-funded levies for these government-supported events.

A Strategic Framework for Holistic Education

The CBC framework identifies the Arts and Sports Science pathway as a pillar for nurturing learners.

Through physical education and organized sports, learners acquire essential knowledge, skills, values, and positive attitudes that promote healthy lifestyles and lifelong learning.

Recognizing this importance, the Ministry has officially integrated Junior School into the co-curricular calendar as an independent segment.

For administrative and competitive purposes, Junior School activities will continue to be managed by the existing committees that oversee primary school activities, given their shared physical domicile.

Furthermore, for the first time, the Science and Engineering Fair will include Junior Schools, managed in tandem with the Senior School categories, marking a significant step in fostering early innovation and critical thinking.

The Ministry continues to provide robust coordination and funding for a diverse array of activities, including:

• Primary and Junior school games and sports
• Secondary schools games and sports
• Special Needs Education (SNE) games and sports (Primary and Secondary)
• Music, Drama, and Film festivals
• Science and Engineering Fairs
• East Africa Secondary Schools Sports and East Africa Music, Dance, and Drama
• East Africa Essay competitions

Strengthening Governance: The New Management Committees

To eliminate ambiguity and ensure strict financial discipline, the Ministry has mandated the establishment of Co-Curricular Activities Committees at the Sub-County, County, and Regional levels. These committees are tasked with planning, budgeting, coordinating, fundraising (through partnerships), and monitoring all activities.

Composition of the Committees

Each committee is chaired by the respective Education Director (Sub-County, County, or Regional) and comprises:

• The TSC Director (or representative)
• Quality Assurance and Standards Officer
• Representatives from KEPSHA (Primary Heads), KESSHA (Secondary Heads), and KPSA (Private Schools)
• Chairpersons of the specific co-curricular activities
• A representative from the Special Needs Education Association
• An Education Officer appointed as Secretary

Golden Rules for Financial Management

The Ministry’s directive on financial management is unequivocal. To ensure prudent utilization of funds released by the Ministry headquarters, committees must adhere to a strict set of regulations:

Transparency: Management committees must be fully aware of the funds allocated to their level by the Ministry headquarters. They must be directly involved in the planning and budgeting process.

Strict Budgeting: Committees must draw budgets only from allocated funds and approved sponsorships. There must be no “pending bills” accrued at any level.

Prohibition of Levies: Parents shall not be asked to fund co-curricular activities at any level. The government is committed to fully funding these programs.

Autonomy: Each administrative level is expected to carry its own burden of responsibility. Higher levels should not pressure lower levels to subsidize activities beyond their mandate.

Accountability: Following every event, a detailed report on the utilization of funds must be submitted to the funding authority.

Diversified Funding Streams

For the 2026 calendar, the government has solidified multiple sources of funding to ensure that no activity stalls.

These include the specific co-curricular vote head in the Ministry’s budget, activity vote heads within the Free Primary Education (FPE), Free Day Secondary Education (FDSE), and the Junior School Education capitation.

Additionally, support from the Sports, Arts, and Social Development Fund and other strategic partners will be leveraged to bolster the programs.

Clearly Defined Responsibilities

To avoid overlap and ensure smooth execution, the Ministry has delineated specific duties for each level of the education hierarchy.

The Sub-County Level

Schools are responsible for transporting teams to sub-county events, providing lunch, and paying the allowances for accompanying staff.

The Sub-County Director of Education (SCDE) oversees the administrative backbone, including paying referees and judges, securing hosting venues, providing awards, and ensuring health and security protocols are met.

The County Level

At the county championship, responsibilities are split:

• SCDEs remain responsible for their respective teams’ transport, lunch, and allowances for coaches and team managers.
• The County Director of Education (CDE) takes charge of the broader logistics: paying technical officials (referees/adjudicators), ensuring security, providing first aid, and managing the hosting venue.

The Regional Level

The coordination intensifies at the regional level. The CDEs manage their respective county teams (transport, food, and staff allowances), while the Regional Director of Education (RDE) assumes the burden of the competition’s administration—hiring halls, paying adjudicators, securing venues, and managing the overall budget for the championship.

The National Level

The pinnacle of competition sees a collaboration between the Regional Director of Education and the Ministry of Education Headquarters.

The RDE ensures regional teams reach the national venue and that their officials are compensated.

MOE Headquarters covers the major costs: accommodation and meals for all participating teams, technical official allowances, and large-scale administrative needs like badges, security, ambulances, and national-level trophies.

Host RDE: When a region hosts the national championships, the local RDE acts as the chief logistical officer, responsible for booking venues, managing the hosting committee, and preparing the fields to national standards.

Conclusion

By formalizing these guidelines, the Ministry of Education has taken a decisive step toward protecting the integrity and quality of co-curricular activities in Kenya.

By removing the financial burden from parents and providing a structured framework for resource management, the Ministry ensures that every learner—regardless of their school’s location or status—has a fair opportunity to showcase their talents.

As we move through the 2026 academic year, the success of these initiatives rests on the diligence of the directors, committee members, and teachers on the ground.

Through adherence to these regulations, Kenya’s education system will continue to be a powerhouse of holistic development, creating well-rounded individuals ready to excel in the arts, sciences, and sports on both local and international stages.

How do you believe these standardized funding guidelines will impact the overall performance of students in your local school’s co-curricular activities this year?