The government is set to review fees in the education sector, targetting the exam fees for candidates sitting the national exams. University students will also be affected, with the government arguing that a review has not happened in the last 20 years.
With the new proposal by the National Treasury under Cabinet Secretary Ukur Yattani, some parents will face an increase in school fees as they would pay exam fees on their own, as opposed to the government guaranteeing the charges.
It has emerged that the National Treasury wants only candidates who cannot afford to pay examination fees to acquire government funding.
"The fees paid by the government-sponsored students have not been adjusted for over 20 years, despite the fact that the institutions are currently facing huge financial problems," an excerpt from a report submitted by Treasury to Parliament reads.
Treasury argues that the government's waiver on exam fees had not been considered thoroughly.
"The waiver will cater to those who have no ability to pay. Others will have to pay for the examinations starting this financial year," an excerpt of the quoted report reads.
The money allocated for fee waivers will be channeled to the vulnerable students as those able to meet the costs fund themselves.
Speaking to Kenyans.co.ke, Kenya National Union of Teacher Secretary-General Wilson Sossion opposed the move, arguing that any waiver should benefit all public school students regardless of the ability to meet costs.
"Fee waiver should only target public school children and all education funding should target public education," Sossion argued.
So far, amid the Covid-19 pandemic, reopening of schools has been a bone of contention as Education CS George Magoha on Sunday, April 26, extended the nationwide closure of schools and learning institutions by one month.
This is after President Uhuru Kenyatta hinted at partially reopening schools to enable students to sit their national exams, a move that irked parents and stakeholders.
Kenyatta, however, had stated that the government would engage various stakeholders in a strategy that would also ensure students resumed classes.
"Exams are still on as planned, but we still have to know how we shall approach this and we shall elaborate more when that time comes," the Head of State disclosed while addressing journalists from State House on Wednesday, April 22.
