Principals Threaten to Rise School Fees, Scrap programmes
During the Kessha annual conference in Mombasa, secondary school principals expressed their concerns about the delays in the distribution of capitation, which has led them to consider increasing tuition fees.
Additionally, the rising cost of products and services has caused teachers to contemplate withdrawing from certain programs.
Kahi Indimuli, chairman of Kessha, stated that the government had yet to clear the Sh9,000 capitation arrears per pupil for the 2021 and 2022 academic years.
Over 8,000 principals highlighted the challenges posed by escalating food prices, making it increasingly difficult for schools to function effectively.
They claim the government only released Sh17,000 and Sh18,000 per student for the two years, as opposed to the annual Sh22,240 per student.
The administrators noted that the government contribution only covers tuition, leaving them responsible for financing other programs such as boarding, impermanent teaching staff salaries, and food.
Principals revealed that some schools are struggling, and may be compelled to eliminate certain programs.
Some institutions have indeed placed a burden on parents (via fee increases). According to Indimuli, schools are operating under absurd conditions and may be compelled to increase tuition.
Despite the high cost of commodities, the government remained insensitive to the inadequate allocation of capitation over the past two years.
“We are appealing to the government to release this money by July 30 because principals are having a rough time paying bills that the schools have incurred,” said Indimuli.
Mr. Gilbert Wamalwa, the principal of the Kibomet School in Kitale, stated that the delay has caused a great deal of harm and has negatively impacted the wellbeing of students.
"Parents have to pay for the high cost of educating their children… Some of the schools have been taken to court by suppliers.”
Victoria Angwenyi, director of School Audit Services at the Ministry of Education, stated that while the government covers tuition fees, it is the parents’ responsibility to cover all other school-related expenditures.
“A parent has to choose. If the parents bring the child to boarding school, tell them the government pays for education and not boarding. Stop this push and pull. The government pays capitation, and parents must pay for the other services and programs,” said Angwenyi.
She requested that the heads submit financial reports in accordance with the International Public Accounting Standards and reveal their enrollment capacity and performance in order to assist the ministry in determining whether or not their institutions require additional teachers and facilities.
Paul Kibet, a director in the ministry, stated that the government had distributed capitation to 3,000 institutions since January, but that not all of them had acknowledged receipt. “If you don’t acknowledge receipt of the capitation, then it means you have not received the money, and extending the burden to parents,” said Kibet.
Meanwhile, heads of schools have been advised to empower and mentor teachers in leadership. Peter Kent, the president of the International Confederation of Principals, stated that principals should utilize the skills of other instructors and even students.
"We must utilize the talents of others to complete other tasks. Prof. Kent stated at the conference that "we must work as a team in collaboration with everyone.”
“We should encourage the students to have their voice in decision making by asking them whether they were being taught effectively.”
Teachers must take information technology seriously, he said, because this is where the world is headed in light of the impact of artificial intelligence.
Principals Threaten to Rise School Fees, Scrap programmes