The Government has released Sh7.5 billion for printing and distribution of textbooks in public schools.
Announcing the new directive in a circular on guidelines for the implementation of free day secondary school education, Education Principal Secretary Belio Kipsang said that the government will supply the books to schools. In Primary Schools, only Standard Seven and Standard Eight will get four books which include English, Kiswahili, Science, and Mathematics.
In Secondary schools, all students from form one to form four will get the six core textbooks which include English, Kiswahili, Mathematics, Physics, Biology, and Chemistry.
“Schools are expected to acknowledge receipt of the grant by issuing official receipts to the Principal Secretary for each of the two vote heads followed by receipts to each student for the capitation after they have signed a form to be attached to payment voucher as per accounting procedures,” stated Kipsang in the circular.
The government has also released Sh29.5 billion which will fund free day secondary education. However, parents will buy school uniform and pay for lunch for day scholars.
Public boarding schools will also benefit partially from this provision thus reducing the burden on parents on fee payment. Parents will pay for boarding and other infrastructural projects as may be approved by boards of management after consultations.
With the new development, each learner in public schools will receive Sh22,224 from the government.
Parents with students in boarding schools category A (national and county schools) will now pay Sh53,554 a year and those with learners in category B (boarding schools and extra county schools) will be charged Sh40,535 school fees.
All schools have been urged to adhere to the fees guidelines as detailed in the circular on implementation of Free Day Secondary Education.
