School heads query fees directive

A section of the ore than four thousand head teachers country-wide follow the proceedings during the official pening of the 33rd Kenya Secondary School Heads Association . PHOTO/ FILE

What you need to know:

  • Current costs are above last year’s forecast, union says

Public secondary school administrators are on a collision course with the Government over fee increments.

The school heads argue that the State guidelines issued in January last year are not in tandem with the current economic reality.

Speaking to the Nation over the weekend, Education minister Sam Ongeri maintained that the funds were sufficient.

And now, the Kenya Secondary School Heads Association has given the Government a red alert on watering down the quality of education that students will be receiving if the free education kitty is not boosted urgently.

“If Government is committed to maintaining a high standard of education, then a review of last year’s guidelines is inevitable,” said association chairman Cleophas Tirop.

The group proposes, among other things, that the student capitation be increased from Sh10,265 to Sh13,739 per year and that the boarding expenses be set at above the current Sh18,627.

“Currently, most schools are struggling to buy food to last a whole term,” Mr Tirop said.

But the principals’ pleas have fallen on deaf ears.

Although it was alleged by the National Association of Parents that headteachers were arbitrarily increasing school fees, the Nation established otherwise.

Most schools that had raised fees acted in on proposals arrived at during the annual general meetings last year, as required in the guidelines.

It was also established that the sharp increases in costs of electricity and fuel had not been factored in last year’s estimates.
Not realistic

In the current regulations, the cost of electricity, water and conservancy is calculated at Sh500 per student, while local travel and transport is at Sh400, which school heads say is not realistic.

“This interventions by the Government could actually stifle the growth of the public schools,” said Mr Abraham Kawewa, chairperson of the Association of Professional Teachers.

Inflation is rated at 30 per cent since January last year.