Ministry to publish new fees guidelines

A new fee guidelines for public secondary schools will be out in two months, Education Cabinet Secretary has said.

Prof Jacob Kaimenyi said a team of experts from 21 associations will draft the new fees.

The directive came after protests by parents who have in the recent past accused headteachers of introducing hidden charges that have raised school fees beyond the reach of many parents and guardians.

Cases of bright but needy students being unable to raise fees to join the schools of their choices have also been on the increase. (A FIELD NOT SO LEVEL: A quota of inequality)

Concerns have been raised by players in the education sector over the high cost of education in the country, especially at the secondary school level, with parents being hit hard by increased levies.

As a result, the ministry issued a circular warning headteachers not to increase fees this year until a taskforce is formed to review the figures and its report released. (READ: Ministry to release Sh1bn bursary cash)

SECOND TERM

“The new fee structure must be out before May 5, when schools open for the second term,” the minister said.

“The taskforce will conduct an in-depth review of earlier reports by an acclaimed educationist, Dr Eddah Gachukia, whose theme was ‘Low cost secondary education in Kenya’ and Prof Douglas Odhiambo’s report on ‘the alignment of education to the Constitution’ as well as other relevant literature,” Pro Kaimenyi said.

The review the Cabinet secretary said, “was informed by the fact that secondary school fees were reviewed more than five years ago and might not be applicable today due to inflationary pressures”.

He spoke while introducing members of the Taskforce on Secondary School Fees in Kenya at his Jogoo House office on Monday.

In 2008, the Education ministry revised school fees for all public boarding schools. They had to charge Sh18,435 annually.

The government also subsidised day school secondary education with Sh10,265 per student to make education affordable and accessible.

“It is also important to note that the public has raised concerns about the high fees levied in our schools,” Prof Kaimenyi said.

The minister, who was with Principal Secretaries Belio Kipsang and Collete Suda, said the high fees and levies were blocking bright students from joining national schools, forcing them to opt for cheaper district schools.

ESCALATED COSTS

“We even have reports that some students have dropped out of schools completely because of the escalated costs,” he said.

Limuru Girls tops the list of schools charging high fees. Students are required to pay Sh128,000 annually—a 112 per cent above 2009 charges.

The taskforce will be chaired by the former Education assistant minister, Dr Kilemi Mwiria.

Other members include the chairman of the Kenya National Association of Parents, Mr Musau Dunda and the Kenya National Union of Teachers secretary-general, Mr Wilson Sossion.