Education Cabinet Secretary Prof George Magoha has issued a directive ordering police officers to apprehend able parents who fail to pay their children's school fees.
Speaking in Bungoma County, Magoha issued a stern warning to all education stakeholders to ensure that there are no disruptions within the school calendar as the students prepare for the national examinations.
He added that the government had set aside adequate funds to cover the costs for all students to be in school.
"If you find the parent has the capacity and does not want to pay, inform us and we will apprehend the parent," he affirmed.
Further, he reiterated his call to principals across the country to ensure that no student is sent home over school fees arrears- giving the go-ahead for police to arrest those who went against the directive.
"If you find somebody is keeping a child who is going to do an exam at home, if you are a coward and don't want to take action, send the name to me and I will order the police to arrest the principal, that's where we have reached."
"All children who are going to do exams starting in about three weeks are in school and learning. We are not pleading with you because you must comply or else go create your own school and send the kids away," he noted.
The Education ministry has been keen to avert disruption of the school calendar that will see the Kenya National Examinations Council (KNEC) administer five national examinations for Grade Six, Standard Eight and Form Four students.
Recently, Magoha addressed various concerns regarding the Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC) including the transition of Grade six learners to junior secondary school.
He affirmed that Junior high schools would be domiciled in secondary schools.
"We are putting the Junior High schools in secondary schools. That is why our target is to build 20,000 classrooms.
“Transition to Grade Seven will happen when I am not there but the orders from President Uhuru Kenyatta is that we prepare and leave everything in order. For example, the examination for Grade six in December is ready," the CS stated.
