REVISED GUIDELINES ON MANAGEMENT OF FUNDS FOR CO-CURRICULAR ACTIVITIES AT SUB-COUNTY, COUNTY AND REGIONAL LEVELS FOR 2026 CALENDAR YEAR
Co-curricular activities continue to play a very critical role in the learners education process.
The Competency Based Curriculum has provided solid framework on talent development as an important component that will enable the learners to achieve Holistic Education.
The Arts and Sports Science pathway provide the learners with knowledge, skills, values and positive attitudes through physical education and sports for a healthy lifestyle and life long learning.
The Ministry has included the Junior School in the co-curricular calendar as an independent segment for purposes of management and participation in the competition.
In the meantime, Junior School activities will continue to be managed by the committees running the primary school activities since this level is domiciled in the primary school.
The Science and Engineering Fair will be held for the first time for the Junior Schools and will be managed together with the one for Senior Schools.
The co-curricular activities funded and coordinated by the Ministry of Education include:
a) Primary schools games and sports
b) Junior schools games and sports
c) Secondary schools games and sports
d) Special needs education Primary schools games and sports
e) Special needs education Secondary schools games and sports
f) Music festival
g) Drama nd Film festival
h) Science and Engineering Fair
i) East Africa Secondary Schools Sports
j) Teacher Training Colleges games and sports
k) East Africa Music, Dance and Drama
l) East Africa Essay competition for secondary schools
(1) MANAGEMENT OF CO-CURRICULAR ACTIVITIES
For purposes of accountability and transparency in the management of co-curricular activities, the following management committees shall be established:
a) Sub-County Co-Curricular Activities Committee
b) County Co-Curricular Activities Committee
c) Regional Co-Curricular Activities Committee
The committees will comprise of:
a) The Education Director at each level (Sub-County, County, Region) – Chair of the committee
b) The TSC Director or his/her representative at each level
c) The Quality Assurance and Standards Officer at each level
d) One member from Kenya Primary Schools Heads Association (KEPSHA)
e) One member from Kenya Secondary Schools Heads Association (KESSHA)
f) Chairpersons of the various co-curricular activities
g) One member from Kenya Private Schools Association (KPSA)
h) One representative from Special Needs Education Association
i) The secretary to the committee will be an Education Officer/Quality Assurance Officer appointed by SCDE, CDE or RDE at every level
Functions of the committee will be:
(i) Planning and Programming
(ii) Budgeting for funds released by Ministry of Education
(iii) Coordination of activities
(iv) Fund raising/partnerships
(v) Monitoring of co-curricular activities
The various committees (Sub-County, County, Region and National) should strictly follow the guidelines listed below when managing the co-curricular activities:
a) All activities should follow their respective constitutions
b) The management committees should be made aware of the funds allocated to that level by MOE Headquarters
c) The management committees should be involved in planning and budgeting for funds
d) The funds released are supposed to cater for all the 2026 activities including those that will take place in July/August 2026
e) The budget should only be drawn from the allocated funds and from sponsors (if any)
f) Parents shall not be asked to fund the co-curricular activities at any level
g) Prudent utilization of funds should be observed at all levels
h) Each level should carry its own burden of managing activities without forcing the low level to assist
i) No accrual of pending bills
j) A report on how the funds were utilized should be prepared and submitted to the funding authority
(2) FUNDING OF CO-CURRICULAR ACTIVITIES
The government is committed to funding all the co-curricular activities. In 2026, the expected sources of funds will include:
a) Co-curricular vote head in the Ministry of Education budget
b) Activity vote head in Free Primary Education (FPE) Capitation
c) Activity vote head in Free Day Secondary Education (FDSE) Capitation
d) Activity vote head in the Junior School Education Capitation
e) Support from Sports, Arts and Social Development fund and other partners
(3) RESPONSIBLITY OF EACH LEVEL
(a) Sub-County Level
The school shall transport the teams to and from the Sub-County competitions, provide lunch for the school team and also pay allowance to the accompanying school officials such as drivers, teachers etc.
The Sub-County Director of Education shall:
- Pay for the referees, judges, adjudicators, Sub-County Committee officials, field preparations, performance halls, calligraphy work and other related administrative costs as per approved budgets.
- Acquisition of trophies, certificates and other awards
- Plan for security and health issues during the activities
- Identification of the hosting venues
(b) County Level
During the County championship, the respective Sub County Director of Education and County Director of Education will be responsible for their teams as follows:
Sub County Director of Education
- Transport the teams to and from the county championships/festivals
- Provide lunch to teams from their Sub Counties
- Pay the coaches, chaperons, team managers, drivers and Sub County committee officials as per approved budgets.
County Director of Education
- Pay the referees, judges, adjudicators, county executive committee officials and other championship/festival administrative costs e.g field preparations, security, hall preparation as per approved budgets.
- Acquisition of trophies, certificates and other awards
- Maintenance of security and provision of first aid during the activities
- Identification and preparation of the hosting venues
(c) Regional Level
At this level the CDE and RDE will be expected to share the responsibilities as follows:
County Director of Education
- Transport the county teams to and from the regional competition
- Pay allowances to their coaches, chaperons, team managers and county executive committee members allocated duties as per the approved budget
- Feed and accommodate the county teams
Regional Director of Education
- Pay the referees, judges, adjudicators allowances as per the approved budget
- Pay administration costs such as field preparation, performance halls, security, first aid, executive committee allowances, refreshments etc
- Acquire trophies, certificates and other awards
- Maintenance of security and health issues during activities
- Identification and preparation of the hosting venues
(d) National Level
At this level, the Regional Director of Education and MOE HQs will share responsibilities as follows:
Regional Director of Education
- Transport the regional teams to and from the national venue
- Pay allowances to team officials such as coaches, chaperons, team managers, drivers and executive committee members as per the approved budgets
- Provide meals to regional teams on transit and accomodation at stop over centres
Ministry of Education Head Quarter
- Pay for accommodation and meals for teams from all the regions during the championship
- Pay the referees, judges, adjudicators allowances as per the approved budget
- Provide refreshments for the officials and teams
- Subsidize on field preparations, hall hire/preparation
- Provision of badges, certificates, security, ambulance, and other related administrative costs
- Acquisition of trophies, certificates, and other awards at the level
Host Regional Director of Education
When a region is hosting the national championships, the RDE will be required to:
- Identify the schools to accommodate teams
- Identify and book venues/play grounds
- Constitute and cater for the hosting committee expenses
- Ensure the field/venues are prepared to the required standards
- Provide and pay for chairs and tents used during the opening and closing ceremonies of the championship
- Coordinate security and provision of first aid during activities
Regional Director of Education, County Director of Education and Sub-County Director of Education are instructed to implement the guidelines and cascade accordingly.
Prof. Julius K. Bitok, CBS
PRINCIPAL SECRETARY