The Ministry of Education has issued a stern warning to school heads after they were alleged to be charging parents unauthorised levies.
According to a circular released by the Principal Secretary (PS) Belio Kipsang on February 2, primary, junior secondary and secondary schools were accused of defying directives issued by the Ministry.
“The Constitution of Kenya 2010 mandates the Cabinet Secretary to implement free and compulsory Basic Education for all Kenyan children of school-going age,” the statement reads.
To protect parents from rogue school principals, PS Kipsang directed as follows;
Secondary Schools Ordered to Adhere to Authorised Fees Guidelines
The Ministry of Education stated that it caters for tuition requirements for all primary and secondary schools through capitation. In that light, school heads were prohibited from charging parents any extra fees.
Ministry Bans Schools From Selling or Stocking Uniforms and Boarding Items
Parents, prior to school opening, complained of headteachers forcing them to buy utilities from specified shops or institutions at overpriced prices
All Secondary Schools Must Adhere to And Comply With the Authorized Fee Structure Under Kenya Gazette Notice no.1555 of March 2015
The fee structure allows parents to pay annual fees in a ratio of 50 per cent, 30 per cent and 20 per cent, for the first, second and third terms respectively.
Lunch Programme for Day Secondary Schools Declared Optional
The Ministry insisted that lunch fees are not compulsory and school heads should refrain from sending children back home for failure to pay the same.
They were also directed to set an affordable rate for parents.
County Education Directors Ordered to Report School Heads Charging Extra Levies
Regional, county and sub-county directors of education were instructed to report the Board of Management and headteachers to the education PS.
Headteachers found culpable of brewing the guidelines will be subjected to stern actions.
County and Sub-County Directors of Education to Utilise a Multi-Agency Approach
Coordination, according to Kipsang, will ensure education stakeholders adhere to the authorised fee structure and implementation of free and compulsory basic education.
All Schools Required to Fill Fee Declaration Forms
Kipsang directed school heads to submit soft and hard completed forms to the Ministry of Education headquarters offices along Taifa Road by February 9, 2024.
The fee declaration forms should be countersigned by the sub-county director of education.
Education Cabinet Secretary Ezekiel Machogu after the release of the Kenya Primary School Education Assessment (KPSEA) exams urged teachers to desist from charging parents extra costs for uniforms and other school utilities.
"Grade 7 learners be allowed to attend school in uniforms that they used while in Grade 6 in 2023 as parents and guardians make efforts to buy new outfits for the JSS," CS Machogu stated.
