Matiang'i Orders Principals to Refund School Fees

Education Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang'i, through the county commissioner, has ordered day secondary schools principals in Meru county to refund all the fees they have received from parents.

Meru County Commissioner Wilfred Nyagwanga also directed education officials, Deputy County Commissioners, chiefs and their assistants to ensure that the principals operating in their area od jurisdiction comply with the order.

Mr Nyagwanga highlighted that the government intends to achieve its goal of 100 percent transition rate from the primary to secondary school.

He stated that the CS informed him to reiterate to the officials that it is against policy to charge any levy in any day secondary school because the government has already paid fees for all the students joining Form One this year courtesy of the free day secondary education programme.

[caption caption="File image of Education CS Fred Matiang'i with other officials."][/caption]

“We want 100 percent transition from primary to secondary education level and the best way to achieve this is to ensure that no fee is charged for all day secondary schools. If any parent has paid any levy and especially the lunch fees it should be refunded with immediate effect.," Nyagwanga affirmed.

"Stern disciplinary action will be taken against any principal who defies the directive,” he added.

According to him, the Ministry is monitoring all the day secondary schools in the area on a daily basis to ensure that students are enrolling students free of charge.

Nyagwanga warned parents with children in day secondary schools against paying even a single cent stating that the students can eat lunch in their respective homes just like they did when they were in primary schools.

The Ministry was reacting to claims by parents that some day secondary school heads were sending away students who have not paid lunch levies.

[caption caption="File image of secondary school students being served lunch."][/caption]

According to County Quality and Standards officer Chabari Bururia, the government has disbursed the money to schools noting that nobody should frustrate learners from poor backgrounds.

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