Basic Education Principal Secretary Julius Bitok has put headteachers on notice, warning that those defying the presidential ban on sending students home for unpaid fees will face the consequences.

Despite a clear directive and the timely release of government capitation funds, reports persist of students being turned away, a move the PS labels “unjustifiable.”

Speaking at Isinya Moi Girls Secondary School in Kajiado County, PS Bitok used the launch of the Elimu Scholarship Programme to draw a line in the sand.

He reiterated that the government has already disbursed capitation funds to schools ahead of the current term, effectively removing any financial pretext for administrators to exclude learners.

“Education remains a top priority for this administration,” Bitok stated, cautioning principals against any actions that might undermine the pillars of access, equity, and learner retention.

He stressed that the exclusion of any child, whether due to a lack of fees or a missing school uniform, is a direct violation of a standing presidential directive.

The PS’s mandate extends beyond the school gates.

He called on education stakeholders and National Government Administrative Officers (NGAOs) to intensify a nationwide “mop-up” exercise.

This coordinated effort aims to achieve a 100 percent transition rate, ensuring that every learner, particularly those moving from primary to secondary school, is accounted for and seated in a classroom.

Ambassador Bitok noted that the Elimu Scholarship Programme is not an isolated initiative, but a critical part of a broader safety net.

By supporting the most vulnerable learners, the government aims to ease the crushing financial burden on families and guarantee that poverty is no longer a barrier to academic progress.