Parents protest ‘inflated’ fees at St Mary’s Mwea Girls

A group of parents from St Mary’s Mwea Girls’ High School in Kirinyaga County are up in arms over exorbitant school fees being charged by the school.

Speaking at Nation Centre on Tuesday, more than 20 parents, who sought anonymity because they feared that their children might be victimised, said the school Principal J.W. Kiranga, has been raising fees without consulting parents.

“The principal has been increasing school fees every year without even informing us. In 2015, we paid Sh48,000. This later rose to 54,000 in 2016 and now the fee is at Sh58, 529,” said the parents.

They said they had tried to seek an explanation from the principal but their efforts were always thwarted.

Ms Kirannga, they said, had been telling them to toe the line or transfer their children to other schools if they feel the fees charged are high.

“We have tried to talk to the principal but she always dismisses us. She calls meetings on phone which only reaches a few parents. If you complain, your child is victimised and threatened to be kicked out of the school,” they said.

They also alleged that the principal charges extra levies such as school bus money, building money and money for food. She is also accused of sending away students from school even when they had a fee balance of as little as Sh2,000.

TEACHERS DISMISSES DOCUMENTS

“Last year we were forced to pay Sh5,000 each term for food. When we complained, she said we either pay or our children be sent home,” they complained.

Documents seen by the Nation reveal that the school charges Sh500 for ICT and computer fees though the school has no computer.

The school also has both medical and insurance fees, with each student paying Sh528 and Sh442 per year respectively. Administration cost is pegged at Sh1,142 while students’ welfare charge is Sh5,860 annually.

The school further warns parents not to buy school uniforms only from the school.

“All uniforms must be obtained from the school and alteration is not allowed,” the school says.

Students joining Form One in 2014, for instance, were required to pay Sh6,710 as uniform charges. This will get a student two skirts (Sh1,500), two blouses (Sh800), two pairs of socks (Sh180 each), one pullover (Sh900), a bed cover (Sh800) and a mosquito net (Sh400), among other items.

A mobile phone number given on the school’s fee statement was unreachable, with a recording from the telecom company saying the line was out of service.

Bu the Nation managed to talk to one teacher, a Mr Ngure, who said the principal was away and claimed the documents we have are not genuine and that the school charges school fees according to Ministry of Education’s guidelines.