No Hike in School Fees: Says Ministry of Education
The Ministry of Education has issued a warning against any intention of increasing school fees in junior and secondary schools.
According to Education Cabinet Secretary Ezekiel Machogu, boarding junior and secondary school fees will remain unchanged.
The CS spoke during the opening of the 20th Kenya Primary Schools Headteachers Conference held at Sheikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Primary School in Mombasa on Wednesday, November 8.
Machogu indicated that the Kenya Kwanza Administration has no intention of increasing school fees in both junior and secondary schools. Boarding schools will maintain the approved school fees rates.
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Last month, the Kenya Secondary Schools Heads Association made a statement indicating that principals will increase fees beginning January 2024 due to the high cost of living.
School Capitation
In the recent past, institutions of learning have undergone immense struggles since the government has been releasing funding in a piecemeal manner. Suppliers to institutions have cut short their supplies due to pending payments for services and products delivered.
According to headteachers and principals, some schools have been blacklisted by suppliers due to non-payment or delayed payment of debts.
Many high schools have hefty pending bills that include fee arrears in millions.
However, the CS still maintains that basic education is free and compulsory, basing his argument on Article 53 of the Constitution.
He maintained that acting contrary to this provision violates the Constitution. He further went ahead to state that anyone unwilling to work in the capacity of a headteacher is at liberty to step down or resign.
Machogu maintained that some principals and headteachers were charging exorbitant fees of up to a range of Sh50,000 to Sh200,000 annually.
According to the CS, the government has a commitment of supporting learning institutions by providing funds to facilitate free and compulsory education.
Currently, the government pays Sh1,420 per student in primary schools, Sh15,042 for junior secondary, and Sh22,240 per student in secondary school.
No Hike in School Fees: Says Ministry of Education.