Twist as Principals Send Away Students Personally Enrolled by Magoha

Education CS George Magoha conversing with 2020 KCPE Candidates
Education CS George Magoha conversing with 2020 KCPE Candidates.
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A section of secondary school principals have started turning away students recently admitted in their schools, including those taken personally by the Education Cabinet Secretary, George Magoha.

This comes even as the government increases its efforts to ensure a 100 per cent transition from primary to secondary school.

A report by Citizen TV on Monday, September 6, indicated that the school principals had sent the students home due to school fees arrears.

Speaking to the broadcaster, one of the students who had benefited from the mop-up exercise, disclosed that he was sent away over fees arrears amounting to Ksh53,000.

CS Magoha overseeing KCSE preparations
CS Magoha overseeing KCSE preparations
Kenyans.co.ke

His uncle, who lived with him in Nakuru, noted that prior to the notice, he was not aware that there were arrears that he was required to clear.

The two live in a one-roomed house in an informal settlement in the county.

"He studied the first term without any problem. When he went to Form Two, he returned for half term with a notice of Ksh53,570 arrears."

"When he was picked, I understood that he would go through to completion," stated the uncle, Timothy Mudanyi, while appealing to Magoha for help.

Another parent from a school in Kakamega, claimed that some students had been sent home this year, including Form Ones, over fees arrears.

The unidentified parent claimed that an extra charge for Ksh4,500, disguised as special subject fee, had been added as part of school fees for all students.

This comes even as Magoha warned parents to ensure that their children report to Form One or risk arrest.

The CS added that there is no reason for children to continue staying at home while the government pays capitation to secondary schools.

“75 per cent of all the 10,000 public secondary schools in the country are day schools, and we pay for all the school fees in these schools except for uniforms and food."

"Why must students stay home? If we find out that you are keeping a child who has finished primary school at home by Friday, you will be arrested,” Magoha warned.

The set deadline of Friday, September 3, has since lapsed and 117,000 of the 1.17 million students who sat for the KCSE in 2020 are yet to enroll to form one.

Experts have also poked holes on the 100 per cent transition policy fronted by the Ministry of Education, arguing that infrastructure in many institutions was in a sorry state.

Education CS George Magoha during the release of 2021/2022 university and colleges placement results on August 17, 2021.
Education CS George Magoha during the release of 2021/2022 university and colleges placement results on August 17, 2021.
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