Ministry of Education Issues 7 Guidelines to School Heads on School & Lunch Fees
The Ministry of Education has issued a stern warning to school heads after allegations surfaced that they were charging parents unauthorized levies.
A circular released by Principal Secretary (PS) Belio Kipsang on February 2 accused primary, junior secondary, and secondary schools of defying Ministry directives.
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The Ministry emphasized that it provides for tuition requirements in all primary and secondary schools through capitation, prohibiting school heads from imposing additional fees on parents.
Parents had complained before the school opening that headteachers were compelling them to purchase utilities from specified shops or institutions at inflated prices.
In response, the Ministry banned schools from selling or stocking uniforms and boarding items.
Furthermore, all secondary schools are required to adhere to the authorized fee structure outlined in Kenya Gazette Notice no.1555 of March 2015, which allows parents to pay annual fees in a ratio of 50%, 30%, and 20% for the first, second, and third terms, respectively.
The Ministry declared lunch fees for day secondary schools as optional, emphasizing that they are not compulsory.
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School heads were directed to set an affordable rate for parents, and they are not allowed to send children home for failing to pay lunch fees.
Regional, county, and sub-county directors of education were instructed to report any school heads charging extra levies to the education PS. Headteachers found in violation of the guidelines will face stern actions.
Coordination among education stakeholders, as per Kipsang, will ensure adherence to the authorized fee structure and the implementation of free and compulsory basic education.
School heads were also directed to submit completed fee declaration forms to the Ministry of Education headquarters by February 9, 2024, with the forms countersigned by the sub-county director of education.
Education Cabinet Secretary Ezekiel Machogu, following the release of the Kenya Primary School Education Assessment (KPSEA) exams, urged teachers not to charge parents extra costs for uniforms and other school utilities.
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He suggested that Grade 7 learners be allowed to attend school in uniforms used in Grade 6 in 2023 while parents make efforts to buy new outfits for Junior Secondary School.
Ministry of Education Issues 7 Guidelines to School Heads on School & Lunch Fees