School Closure Relieves Principals from Hard Economic Pressure
The rising cost of living has outstripped principals and heads of schools’ budgets they prepared at the start of the year.
Teachers cannot raise fees in the middle of the school year, and the money they expect from parents and the government is insufficient to run schools efficiently.
Parents owe schools millions of shillings in fee balances, despite the Education Ministry’s prohibition on sending students away.
According to Kenya National Association of Parents Chairman Nicholas Maiyo, some parents are unable to pay their fees or even feed their families.
This year has four school terms. The first term of 2022 concludes this week, and the remaining two will be completed in five months with only brief breaks in between.
Principals and headteachers are relieved as schools close because they have run out of food and had no money to buy more.
They warned that things could get worse when classes resume next term.
Indimuli Kahi, Chairperson of the Kenya Secondary School Heads Association (Kessha), stated that the price increases have put schools in a difficult position.
Because of the high cost of food, electricity, and fuel, boarding schools are the most affected. Day schools are also impacted because they charge for lunch.
High commodity costs affect not only food but also other operations.
Laboratory chemicals and equipment, printing paper, fuel, and electricity have all increased in price.
Schools with ongoing construction projects are paying more for construction materials such as cement and steel bars, whose prices have skyrocketed in the last six months, exceeding their provision in bills of quantities.
To cope with the tough economic times, some schools have reduced meal portions for students, while others have discontinued offering items such as tea at break time.
Maize and maize flour, a staple in many schools, have doubled in price since January of this year.
Kenya Union of Post Primary Education Teachers (KUPPET) Secretary-General Akelo Misori believes that the only way out is for the government to provide a stimulus package to schools.
Julius Jwan, Principal Secretary for Early Learning and Basic Education stated that the ministry is working with the NCPB to sell grains directly to schools at lower prices.
He said principals must negotiate fee payments with parents on boarding and meals as the government pays for tuition.
He did, however, rule out the possibility of raising school fees in the middle of the year, arguing that while school terms have been shortened, school capitation has not been reduced.
ALSO READ:
Mr. Kahi stated that Kessha has since written to the Ministry of Education requesting that schools be supplied with grains directly from the National Cereal and Produce Board (NCPB) at a lower cost.
School Closure Relieves Principals from Hard Economic Pressure