Inside principals push for increased school fees

 

Head of Public Service Felix Koskei during a virtual meeting with school principals on March 11, 2026. [File Courtesy]

School principals have renewed calls to increase fees, warning that the current funding model is no longer sustainable.

They argued that institutions grapple with rising operational costs, delayed capitation, and the demands of the Competency-Based Education (CBE) system.

The appeal by school heads comes even as the government cautioned institutions against imposing unauthorised levies on parents, insisting that the existing fee guidelines must be strictly followed to protect access to education.

Speaking during a virtual consultative meeting convened by Head of Public Service Felix Koskei, Kenya Secondary Schools Heads Association (Kessha) chairman Willie Kuria said school leaders are struggling to run institutions effectively under the current fee structure introduced more than a decade ago.

Kuria told the meeting that inflation and the demands of the new curriculum have placed schools under immense financial pressure.

“As school heads, we are entrusted with the management of resources and students. We must manage it well so that we can promote transparency,” Kuria said.

The meeting, themed “Strengthening governance in secondary schools: roles of Boards of Management and school leadership,” which brought together school principals, ministry officials, and Boards of Management, sought to strengthen governance in secondary schools and promote accountability in the management of public resources.

Kuria said school principals are not opposed to prudent funds management and accountability.

“To promote transparency and management of finance, we need a lot of transparency, the process of budget preparation, regular financial reporting, and accountability in schools.”

Kuria, who is also the Murang'a high school principal, said the biggest challenge undermining proper management of schools is inadequate funding.

“I want to say we have some challenges. One of them is the limited financial resources. These are some of the challenges that are affecting the good governance, transparency, and efficient service delivery in schools,” he said.

According to Kuria, the government capitation provided to schools is both inadequate and often delayed, making it difficult for institutions to meet their financial obligations.

“The issue of capitation and because of little and late disbursement, it becomes difficult for schools to operate,” he said.

The current school fees guidelines, which were set in 2014, allow boarding schools to charge parents a maximum of Sh53,000 per year.

But Kuria argued that the amount is no longer realistic given the rising cost of living.

“If we put it that the fees charged in boarding schools are Sh53,000, but during our forums, when you try to calculate how the spending per student in school per day is, we arrive at a budget of Sh95,000,” he said.

“We expect a capitation of Sh22,244, but what we get is largely about Sh14,000. These deficits are making it difficult for us to be able to manage institutions effectively.”

Kuria revealed that schools across the country are running huge deficits due to the funding gap.

“Last year, we had a deficit of Sh6,860 per child, and nationally we were owed over Sh22 billion,” he said.

“This term, we are operating with Sh6,500 below the expected disbursement of Sh11,000. The shortage of funds is really pushing school heads to the wall in managing schools.” 

Kuria noted that most schools are day institutions that depend heavily on government capitation.

“When it doesn't come in good time, it becomes difficult to pay support staff and Board of Management teachers, let alone employing qualified professionals,” he said.

In some cases, schools have resorted to assigning secretaries accounting duties because they cannot afford professional accountants.

“Almost all schools in the country have debts to suppliers,” Kuria added.

The situation has been further complicated by the introduction of new subjects under the CBE system, which require specialised teachers.

“The CBE schools require qualified staff who could be able to handle new subjects in our schools. This includes aviation, electricity, marine technology, building and construction, and finance,” Kuria said.

“But we do not have the staff. Schools are forced to source professionals on Board of Management terms so that learning and teaching can take place.”

He warned that in many regions, the scarcity of trained professionals makes it even more expensive for schools to hire such instructors.

“The majority of the areas have less trained professionals, making it costly to afford,” he said.

Despite the challenges, Kuria assured that school heads remain committed to running institutions responsibly.

“Away from the charges that are there, we shall continue to do the best we can,” he said.

However, the government has strongly warned schools against introducing additional levies outside the approved fees.

Basic Education Principal Secretary Julius Bitok said the government is aware of the capitation deficit and is engaging other state agencies to address the shortfall.

“We are in the middle of flagship reforms, which is competency-based education. The state of  education is on a solid foundation,” he said.

He confirmed that there is a Sh22 billion deficit in funding for free day secondary education.

“On capitation, we have a deficit of Sh22 billion, and we have been engaging the Treasury and Parliament. We are doing everything possible to ensure that we have enough resources,” he said.

According to Bitok, the government remains committed to ensuring schools receive the necessary funding while maintaining accountability in the use of public resources.

“Education is taking 30 percent of our gross domestic product. Whatever the government is doing, it is doing its best to ensure priority is given to education,” he said.

Koskei said some schools have been imposing extra charges on parents under different categories, undermining the government’s efforts to ensure equitable access to education.

“As institutions that form part of public service, our schools are expected to operate within the policies, regulations, and standards established by law,” he said.

“This framework exists to ensure order, accountability, and fairness in the sector while safeguarding equal access to opportunity for all learners across the country.”

Koskei expressed concern over cases where schools introduce hidden charges such as extra payments for uniforms, sports equipment, and other materials.

“We have noted with concern instances where the government policy on school fees is clear, yet some institutions continue to require parents to incur additional costs disguised under various items,” he said.

“Such practices undermine the spirit of government policies and place an unnecessary burden on parents and guardians.”

Koskei directed school heads and Boards of Management to strictly adhere to the approved guidelines.

“I wish to state clearly that such action must stop immediately,” he said.

“School leadership and boards of management must ensure strict adherence to established guidelines on school fees and avoid introducing levies that are not authorised.”