Magoha Addresses Crisis in Schools, Reinforces Fees Directive

Education CS George Magoha ddress the 2nd International Multi-Disciplinary Research Conference on Linking Research, Science Technology & Innovation with Development in Africa at Kabete National Polytechnic in
Education CS George Magoha addresses the 2nd International Multi-Disciplinary Research Conference on Linking Research, Science Technology & Innovation with Development in Africa at Kabete National Polytechnic on May 5, 2022.
Ministry of Education

Education Cabinet Secretary George Magoha has responded to concerns raised by headteachers that threatened to paralyze operations as schools reopen for the second term starting Tuesday, July 12.

Speaking in Kisii county, the education CS assured school heads that the government is set to release funds that will enable the smooth running of learning institutions across the country.

Headteachers had raised the alarm over a biting cash crunch, occasioned by late disbursement of funds with some considering hiking fees to prevent total paralysis.

Defending the late remittance of money, Magoha noted that the pandemic affected the school calendar further taking a toll on the capitation programme.

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Form One students reporting for admission at Milimani High School, Nairobi County on January 9, 2019.
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"President Uhuru and my ministry will work extra hard to ensure that we have released the funds on time," Magoha explained.

He further reinforced the school fees directive asking headteachers not to send students with arrears home. However, he asked parents to support the education programme by playing their part and paying what they can afford.

"We are all sailing in the same boat, struggling with harsh economic times. The price of basic commodities has gone high and this affects all of us, even at the family level," Magoha explained.

"We have school feeding programmes in day schools, let us support those critical cases stay in school. We must admit the students to school and give parents an opportunity to pay school fees. Those of us who have already cleared paying fees for our children have gone an extra mile to pay fees for other needy cases, which is a welcome move," he added.

The CS noted that the government had already  imported maize to cushion schools against the increased cost of food prices and told politicians to avoid politicising the matter.

Magoha pointed out that the upcoming August 9 General Election should not be a catalyst for causing disruptions in the school calendar. He asked political leaders to refrain from engaging in activities that may cause instability in learning institutions.

In terms of classrooms, the education CS maintained that the groundbreaking for the second phase of the construction had begun and the Ministry is committed to delivering 10,000 CBC classrooms before the next government takes over.

"We are also working together with private schools, more so in the urban areas in Nairobi where we have registered over 100 schools that have already converted their primary schools into junior secondary schools," Magoha remarked.

He added that the next government has a duty to ensure better infrastructure in schools and therefore, they are expected to continue construction more classrooms.

KCPE Candidates at the Moi Nyeri Complex Primary School on Tuesday, March 8, 2022.
KCPE Candidates at the Moi Nyeri Complex Primary School on Tuesday, March 8, 2022.
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Ministry of Education