Ministry working on new school fees guidelines

By JOEL OKWAYO

The Government is formulating new fees structure for secondary school, Education Secretary George Godia has said.

Prof Godia said a Taskforce appointed to review the cost of education has completed its work, adding that recommendations for new fee structures will be considered next year.

"We know that cost of goods has gone up and management of schools is difficult, but principals should not impose unnecessary levies on parents using unfair procedures," said Godia.

He said the Ministry of Education discussed fees matters in a meeting with the Parliamentary Committee on Education.

He added proposals for new fee guidelines are set to be taken to Cabinet by Education minister Sam Ongeri before being submitted to Parliament for approval.

The Education Secretary was speaking at Kakamega High School during the commissioning of Sh31 million Economic Stimulus Programme.

Kenya Secondary Schools Head Teachers Association Western branch chairman Kahi Indimuli and Kenya Union of Post Primary Education of Teachers national chairman Milemba Imboko had challenged Godia to explain when new fee guidelines will be released. Indimuli and Imboko explained that principals were straining because cost of goods has doubled.

"We started the programme when the cost of sugar per a bag was Sh3,000 but now we are buying at Sh9, 000. We need changes in fee structures," said Indimuli.

Some schools have been forced to convene Annual General Meetings (AGM) where they have increased their fees for next year by between 50 and 70 per cent.