Schools defy minister’s order on fees guidelines

Melvin Murioki, a Standard Two pupil is assisted to fit a shoe by a shop attendant at the Bata Shop along Kenyatta Avenue on May 2. Parents cry foul as schools charge high fees. [PHOTO: KIPSANG JOSEPH/standard]

Parents still have to shoulder a heavy fees burden as schools continue to defy Government guidelines.

The Standard has established that most public schools are still charging higher than the set annual fees limits of Sh32,385 (boarding), special schools (Sh37,210) and Sh9,374 for day schools. The rates are arrived at after deducting the Government subsidy of Sh13,000 per child, per year.

An analysis of fees structures of various school categories across the country reveals that fees schedules of most schools have not been revised to reflect the minimum levies prescribed by the Government. Nairobi School for instance is charging a total of Sh84,880 per year. Out of this, parents are expected to pay Sh25,880 this second term.

This is in addition to caution money of Sh500, prize giving day levy of Sh4,500 and another Sh500 for Form Four-university registration.

Kakamega High School is charging Sh78,000. In addition to various levies affixed on the fees structure, the figure shoots up to about Sh100,000. In second term alone, parents are expected to pay about Sh21,000. Fees for first term was Sh 57,000.

At Alliance Girls High School, parents are expected to pay Sh115,709.

Elimu Yetu Coalition National Co-ordinator Janet Muthoni yesterday said the organisation shall stage a major demonstration next week to remind the Government the need to enforce fees guidelines.

"Day schools are the worst hit because the raise is more than 200 per cent. Focus is only trained on boarding schools," said Ms Muthoni.

At Olympic High School for instance, fees is Sh24,000. Kericho Day School is charging Sh29,800. Wiobiero Secondary School in Homa Bay is charging Sh37,834 as Ogande Mixed Secondary School wants parents to pay Sh29,164.

"This is unacceptable and the ministry must act," said Muthoni.

But Education Principal Secretary Bellio Kipsang yesterday said all schools must adhere to fees guidelines. He said only a few schools whose applications to review fees were approved should have slightly higher fees. "Only a few schools applied and justified why they needed higher fees. Some had projects running and parents had resolved to complete them," said Mr Kipsang.

He said county directors of education are under firm instructions to furnish the ministry with feedback on schools flouting the guidelines.

Education Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang'i said early this year that a new team would be set up to review fees. He said the current guidelines had some oversights, which ought to be addressed. However, The Standard established that the team is yet to be constituted.