Education PS Clarifies Increase of Fees After Schools Reopen

Basic Education Principal Secretary Belio Kipsang
Belio Kipsang the Principal Secretary (PS), State Department of Basic Education, speaking at a previous event.
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Education Principal Secretary Dr. Belio Kipsang has weighed in on the increase of school fees upon schools resumption after the ministry released new health guidelines for students. 

Kipsang, on Wednesday, September 16, clarified that the government had not yet reached a final decision on how it will cost-share the reopening of schools with parents, or how the government itself will fund the process. 

CS George Magoha's assistant added that it was a headache for the government to make such a decision. 

Basic Education PS Bellio Kipsang with CS George Magoha at the Kibra DO's office on January 27, 2020.
Basic Education PS Bellio Kipsang with CS George Magoha at the Kibra DO's office on January 27, 2020.
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“Yes, it is going to be quite expensive, but it is a process that will have to involve all the stakeholders before a final decision is made.

"I can’t say what the schools, parents and the national government will cater for at the moment,” Dr Kipsang’ played cagey.

An Education County Director who spoke with a local daily stated that the ministry directed school heads to discuss the amount of money needed to be raised by parents. 

According to the director, the discussions will be made and approved by the Board of Management of each school.

"Schools whose budgets do not secure the approval of their BOMs will be considered to have failed to meet the minimum requirements to reopen,” the director disclosed. 

On Thursday, July 23, Kenya National Union of Teachers Secretary General Wilson Sossion asked the government to bear most of the responsibility as parents were already overstretched. 

"Despite the safety of our students and teachers being a priority, we should also consider our parents who are overburdened. The government should shoulder some burden and not pass them all to parents," Sossion urged. 

Education CS George Magoha issued new health protocols on Wednesday, September 16 directing institutions to develop policies and procedures suitable in their own environment to enable smooth reopening.

Among the rules Magoha dictated, was not allowing students to share utensils, books and other personal materials to curb the spread of Covid-19.

Reports claim that President Uhuru is poised to address the nation in late September 2020, with schools reopening being top of the agenda. 

President Uhuru Kenyatta interacts with students of Nyiro Girls’ Secondary School, Samburu County at State House, Nairobi after donating a bus to the school on Friday, November 1, 2019.
President Uhuru Kenyatta interacts with students of Nyiro Girls’ Secondary School, Samburu County at State House, Nairobi after donating a bus to the school on Friday, November 1, 2019.
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