Parents decry rising education costs due to illegal school levies

Parents buy books at Savanis Book Centre, Nairobi. [File, Standard]

Parents with learners in Senior Schools are raising concerns over the rising cost of education, blaming illegal levies imposed by schools.

The complaints come as the Auditor General warned that unauthorised charges continue to burden families and risk pushing many learners out of school.

Many parents say the financial pressure has become unbearable, with some institutions introducing additional charges shortly after admission, despite issuing government-approved fees structures.

John Maina, a parent from Makueni County, said parents are often coerced into paying extra fees that are not included in official school fee guidelines.

“During admission we were given a government-approved school fees structure. However, a month later we were called for an induction meeting where the Board of Management (BOM) and PTA introduced extra levies,” Maina said.

According to him, parents were asked to contribute several additional payments including Sh10,000 for dormitory facilities, Sh5,000 for remedial lessons, Sh3,000 for school transport and Sh2,000 for teacher motivation.

“These charges come suddenly and parents have no option but to comply because if you complain your child may be targeted or denied certain services,” he said.

Another parent with a child in a school in the Rift Valley region said similar charges are common across many institutions.

“The school is charging an extra Sh3,000 for remedial classes, Sh2,000 for school trips, Sh2,000 for teachers’ motivation and Sh5,000 for infrastructure development,” the parent said.

Parents argue that the situation has worsened in recent years as the cost of living continues to rise, making it difficult for families to sustain education expenses.

Parliament

The concerns have also reached Parliament, where members recently questioned education officials over the continued charging of unapproved levies.

Last month, Basic Education Principal Secretary Julius Bitok faced pressure from members of the National Assembly Education Committee to explain why parents are still being forced to pay additional charges despite clear government directives.

Teso South MP Mary Emaase cited a case in which a student supported by Family Bank and the local community was barred from school over unpaid extra charges amounting to Sh27,000.

“The charges include a performance improvement levy of Sh3,000 per term. Who gave this directive? This is affecting vulnerable parents,” Emaase said.

Kitutu Masaba MP Clive Gesairo also questioned the government’s enforcement of regulations on school fees.

“There was a circular last year warning of illegal charges. Parents cannot continue to bear this exploitation,” he said.

The Auditor General’s office has added its voice on the irregular financial practices in schools.

Auditor General Nancy Gathungu, through her representative Susan Oyatsi, warned that schools are increasingly collecting unapproved revenues from parents, including contributions to Parents Association programmes that are not sanctioned by the Ministry of Education.

Speaking during a virtual meeting between Head of Public Service Felix Koskei and school principals, Oyatsi said audits across the public sector had uncovered widespread financial irregularities.

“We have some parents who cannot raise fees but can come with in-kind services like cereals or labour, which can be converted to fees,” Oyatsi said.

She noted that this trend is becoming increasingly common, particularly in schools that admit learners from vulnerable households.