Timely order on fees, books

The government’s directive that the 2014 fee guidelines remain in force until the next review in line with recommendations of the Kilemi Mwiria-led Task Force has been ignored.

Acting with impunity, a number of school head teachers have chosen to ignore this directive and charge fees much higher than that outlined in the Gazette Notice 1555 of March 2015. Besides the fees, holiday tuition continued in many schools despite a government ban. Education Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang'i has sounded a warning to those flouting this directive. And there is reason to believe he means business. Commendably, Dr Matiang'i has initiated positive measures aimed at reforming the education sector. He needs the support of all. Because for far too long, the ministry has been in the grip of cartels. Early this year, Dr Matiang'i raised the red flag that the nearly Sh15 billion earmarked for the purchase of textbooks under the free basic primary education cannot be accounted for.