Can a school expel my child or make them repeat a class?
Basic Education Act, 2013; Basic Education Regulations, 2015 · sources read 4 Oct 2026
No pupil in school may be held back in a class or expelled, except under the discipline rules, and only after other corrective measures have failed and the child and parent have been heard. Before any learner is sent away, the school Board of Management must hear the case with the parent present.
- Where
- The school Board of Management, then the County Director of Education in your county
Steps
- If your child gets a suspension letter, go with them on the date given to appear before the school Board of Management. The complaint is read out and your child is asked to answer it.
- A Sub-county Education Officer must attend every disciplinary hearing of a learner.
- The Board sends its recommendation to the County Director of Education, who decides with the County Education Board whether to re-admit your child, move them to another school or to a corrective centre.
- If you disagree with that decision, you can appeal to the Education Appeals Tribunal.
Watch out
- Even when a pupil is expelled, they must be admitted to an institution that focuses on correction in the context of education.
- A learner moves to the next level unhindered, except on a qualified doctor's advice or after missing the programme for a whole academic year.
- A school may not withdraw a learner's national exam registration as a punishment.
Who this covers
- Any pupil admitted in a school
Official sources (3)
- Basic Education Act, 2013 (No. 14 of 2013) new.kenyalaw.org · read 2 Oct 2026
- Basic Education Regulations, 2015 (L.N. 39 of 2015) new.kenyalaw.org · read 2 Oct 2026
- Basic Education Regulations, 2015 (L.N. 39 of 2015), as gazetted (Kenya Subsidiary Legislation, 2015, pp. 428-431) libraryir.parliament.go.ke · read 4 Oct 2026