Parents Want School Fees Reduced, Cite Short Term and High Cost of Living.
As millions of students returned to school yesterday, their parents asked school administrations to consider lowering school fees if a term extension was not possible.
“Our appeal is that the school calendar be extended or if it is not possible, they reduce the school fees,” said Mr. Nicholas Maiyo, the chairperson of the National Parents Association.
Learners closed for mid-term four days earlier than planned, and their return date was pushed forward by four days, costing them valuable time in a crowded school calendar.
However, Education Cabinet Secretary George Magoha ruled out any extension of the term dates on Wednesday, saying that national examinations would be held as scheduled in November.
A number of parents have also expressed dissatisfaction with the high cost of commodities.
Parents protested yesterday’s increase in matatu fares to various destinations.
Several students were stranded for hours at various bus parks across Nairobi as students returned to school, with public service vehicle operators taking advantage of the rush to raise fares.
Matatu operators raised fares to various destinations between Sh300 and Sh500.
For example, moving from Kapsabet to Nairobi now costs Sh1,200, up from between Sh800 and Sh1,000.
“We want to appeal to the government to take stern action against matatu SACCOs taking advantage to increase fares,” Mr. Maiyo stated.
Following the expected change in government, Kenya Primary School Heads Association (KEPSHA) Nyeri County Chairperson Peter Ngatia said many school administrators were concerned about the high cost of living and the future of CBC.
Parents Want School Fees Reduced, Cite Short Term and High Cost of Living
He stated that while principals are struggling to keep students in school after the short breaks, parents are struggling to pay school fees.
The parents’ association asked state agencies to reassure them that their children would be safe as they returned to various learning centers.
Earlier this week, the National Security Advisory Committee assured Kenyans of safety and peace throughout the country, despite the contested presidential election results.
The second term ends on September 16, after which students will have a one-week break before returning for the third term of the 2022 academic year.
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This will be the end of the two-year crash program caused by the 2020 COVID-19 interruption. The regular school year will resume in January of the following year.