Parents could soon be fined Ksh5 million for preventing their children from going to school because of parental differences and religious or cultural reasons.
As proposed in the Basic Education Bill, 2024, the Ministry of Education is pushing to have children enjoy their right to education without any hindrance.
Preventing a child from attending school because of employment reasons was also listed as an offence that would attract a fine of Ksh5 million or an alternative of a five-year jail term.
"No person shall prevent a child from attending school on account of employment, religion, parental conflict or cultural practices or on any other ground.
"A person who contravenes sub-section commits an offence and is liable to a fine not exceeding Ksh5 million or to a period not exceeding five years or both," the Ministry proposed.
On the other hand, the Ministry has also proposed tough regulations that will govern circumstances when parents excuse their children from attending school.
In the proposals, headteachers will have the power to direct a parent to return a student to school.
"Where the institutional administrator finds there are no reasonable grounds for the child's failure to attend school, the institutional administrator shall issue a written notice to the parent of the child requiring that the parent comply with the provisions of this Act and submit a report on the child to the County Education Board
"Any parent who without a reasonable cause and after a written notice from the institutional administrator fails to comply with this section commits an offence and is liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding Ksh500,000 or to imprisonment for a period not exceeding two years or to both," read the proposals in part.
Other Offences Facing Parents
Additionally, a parent who fails to ensure that their child is admitted to school during the admission period will be fined Ksh100,000.
"A parent or guardian who fails to take his or her child to school as required under subsection (1) commits an offence. A person who contravenes this section shall be liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding Ksh100 or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding one year, or both," the Ministry proposed.
The new regulations were drafted by the Ministry following the proposals that were made by the Presidential Working Party on Education Reforms. The task force was led by Professor Raphael Munavu.
