Connect with us

Hi, what are you looking for?

top

Kenya

Give us evidence of high fees – Kaimenyi

Cabinet Secretary Jacob Kaimenyi called on the public to provide the Teachers Service Commission with evidence of head teachers charging fees over and above government policy. Photo/ FILE

Cabinet Secretary Jacob Kaimenyi called on the public to provide the Teachers Service Commission with evidence of head teachers charging fees over and above government policy. Photo/ FILE

NAIROBI, Kenya, Feb 4 – As the Catholic Church called on Parliament to legislate guidelines for secondary school fees and levies, Education Cabinet Secretary Jacob Kaimenyi called on the public to provide the Teachers Service Commission with evidence of head teachers charging fees over and above government policy so action can be taken against them.

The policy, Kaimenyi said, is that public secondary schools should not charge more than what was quoted in their 2013 fee structures.

A fees freeze was put in place by President Uhuru Kenyatta in response to public outcry over the high fees charged by some public secondary school administrations.

In December 2014, Education Principal Secretary Belio Kipsang released a circular that sought to incorporate the recommendations of the Kilemi Mwiria taskforce charged by the Kenyatta government with prescribing a remedy for high fees.

“Uniforms,” Kipsang said on Wednesday, “was identified as the biggest contributor and so the circular provided guidelines on this.”

READ: KCSE student, school exam ranking abolished

But even in cognisance that their school fees guidelines may not have been adhered to, Kipsang said the Ministry would not extend the reporting deadline of February 13 to national schools saying that the fees could be staggered over the three terms of the year.

A national school letter of admission seen by Capital FM News however clearly states that: “Fees and all other monies MUST be paid on admission.”

The Kenya Conference of Catholic Bishops on Wednesday also raised concern stating that, “unregulated school fees may lead to some bright but needy children being locked out.”

They also stated that the government must go beyond, “issuing guidelines,” and, “enforce the same guidelines as more needs to be done.”

Advertisement. Scroll to continue reading.

They also called for the timely disbursement of the funds that should cater for secondary school tuition costs as Kaimenyi announced the release of Sh11.2 billion in capitation to public secondary schools.

“It is the obligation of the government to ensure that the child’s right to education is protected and enforced,” the church stated.

They also asked for surveillance to ensure the constituency bursary funds actually benefit the right people.

About The Author

Comments
Advertisement

More on Capital News