St Patrick Secondary School in Rongo, Migori County was on Thursday, August 12 closed indefinitely following protests by students over what they termed as hiked school fees.
Rongo Sub County Education Director, Japheth Odhiambo, stated that the students were aggrieved by what they termed were exorbitant fees being levied by the institution.
According to the students, the hike contravened the Basic Education Regulations 2015 Act, Section 44.
The Acts stipulates that "No public school or institution shall issue alternative fees structures other than those approved by the Cabinet Secretary."
"No person or Board of Management in a public institution of basic education and training shall alter or increase fees without written authority from the Cabinet Secretary," reads Section 45 of the Act.
The Ministry of Education recently released a statement condemning school heads who hiked fees illegally and ordered them to refund the excess monies to parents.
"The Ministry has received numerous complaints from parents, sponsors of needy students and the general public regarding schools charging illegal levies," read part of the statement by the Ministry of Education.
"It is noted that schools recover these levies upfront before crediting money paid as fees into the students' fees accounts. This makes students have false fees arrears leading to them being sent home."
Further, the Teachers Service Commission (TSC) issued letters to 200 principals from various schools demanding answers for defying Magoha's orders by increasing school fees.
Among the schools that were highlighted included Nakuru Girl's High School, Mbita High, Nyaburuu Girls' High, St Georges Girls' Sec. School, Kathiani Girls High School, Kakamega High School, Moi Kapsowar Girls High School and Ofafa Jericho High School.
