The Ministry of Education has issued a circular warning public schools, including Primary, Junior, and Secondary Schools, against charging parents unauthorized fees for various services. In a circular issued on February 2, 2023, Dr Bellio Kipsang, the Principal Secretary of the Ministry of Education, mentions steps that county and sub-county directors of education should take to curb the charging of excess fees:

Schools should not charge Unauthorized Fees

All schools have been directed to stop asking parents to pay any charges outside the authorized fees guidelines for secondary schools. The Ministry emphasizes that no fees will be charged by Public Primary and Junior Schools, as these are predominantly day schools, and the Ministry covers the requisite tuition requirements through capitation.

Schools are not allowed to sell Uniforms

In a circular dated 30th May 2023, the Ministry of Education banned schools from selling or stocking uniforms and boarding items. The February 2024 circular emphasizes that all schools must comply with this directive.

Optional Lunch Programs

The ministry has directed schools to make sure that the lunch program for day secondary schools is optional, and no child should be compelled to pay.

Filling Fees Declaration Form

All schools are required to fill a fee declaration form, countersigned by the Sub-County Director of Education, and submit it to the Ministry Headquarters by 9th February 2024, in both hard and soft copies.

Regional Directors, County Directors, and Sub-County Directors of Education have now been instructed to bring to the attention of the Principal Secretary any school charging unauthorized levies, including School Principals, Board of Management, and Head Teachers.

Source: Twitter/@PressReleaseKe