Kaimenyi puts school heads on the spot over high fees

Education Cabinet Secretary Jacob Kaimenyi. [PHOTO: FILE/STANDARD]

Kenya: More than 100 secondary school teachers are facing disciplinary action for disregarding the new fees regulations gazetted by Education Cabinet Secretary Prof Jacob Kaimenyi.

This follows a decision by various schools to forward their old fee structures to the county government for issuance of scholarships for their students from the Sh30 million kitty.

The scholarship list seen by The Standard reveals that some schools presented fee structures of up to Sh110,000 in total disregard of the Sh66,000 fees limit set by Kaimenyi.

Among the beneficiaries, a Sh110,787 cheque was drawn to Moi Girls High School, a Sh104,950 cheque was sent to Limuru Girls High School while Moi Forces Academy Lanet also received Sh102,000.

There were various other schools who quoted amounts exceeding Sh70,000 as fees.

Kaimenyi yesterday said ministry officials are interrogating these fees structures.

He also instructed Teachers Service Commission to take disciplinary action against all teachers who have ignored his office's policy direction.

OPPOSED MOVE

Governor Evans Kidero issued cheques to some 300 students, who live in Nairobi and have been admitted to secondary schools across the country, with the lowest amount awarded being Sh15,830.

Kidero's move has, however, been challenged by county education committee members and education civil society members who questioned process used to award the scholarships.

Speaking to The Standard, Elimu Yetu Coalition National Coordinator, Janet Muthoni, yesterday said the legal framework set out by the ministry must be followed at all times

"The governor issued school fees cheques without considering the Education Ministry's gazette notice that said no secondary school should charge over Sh66,000. He needs to recall these cheques and review them under the set guidelines," she said.

County Education Committee member Patrick Ngaruiya told The Standard that they had not been involved in setting up of the scholarship programme.

"We learnt of it shortly before it was launched. We support the initiative but want it reviewed so it meets set guidelines and benefits even more students," he said.

Cheques worth Sh24 million have been issued with the governor expected to disburse the remaining Sh6 million before end of the week.