Parents’ failure to pay fees blamed for poor performance in schools

By Daniel Psirmoi

Bungoma, Kenya: None payment of fees by most parents in Mt Elgon constituency schools is to blame for the dismal performance of the region in national examinations, area MP John Serut has been told.

Less than 120 students in the recently released KCSE examination results from schools within the two sub-counties of Cheptais and Mt Elgon, attained university cut-off points.

During a forum convened by Serut on Friday at Kibuk Girls High School, secondary school head teachers drawn from the sub-counties said parents owe the institutions millions of shillings in fee arrears complicating operations.

Nicholas Kiboi, the Cheptais High School head said most schools in the area would have been grounded to a halt a long time ago if there were no grants from the Government through the Free Secondary Education funds and also money from the Constituency Development Fund.

“This year alone my students owe the school over Sh5.6 million in arrears. Sending them home means sending away more than three-quarter of them but most still do not come with school fees. Their parents blame poverty,” said Kiboi, who noted that some students because lack of fees opt to remain at home or transfer.

Kibuk Girls Principal Anne Boiyo said the none-payment of fees is fueled by the poor attitude parents from the constituency have towards the local schools, and not poverty.

Neglected roles

Serut, who convened the crisis meeting meant to find out what ails the education sector in his constituency, asked both teachers and parents to play their roles.

“It is improper for parents to expect their children to perform well when they do not pay school fees. How do you expect the schools to run their day-to-day activities? Parents should also invest in the education of their children, if at all they expect good results,” said the lawmaker.