Machogu Warns School Heads On Increasing School Fees

Machogu Warns School Heads On Increasing School Fees

Machogu Warns School Heads On Increasing School Fees. Education Cabinet Secretary (CS) Ezekiel Machogu has issued a stern directive to secondary school principals, prohibiting any increase in tuition fees due to issues related to capitation.

This directive comes on the heels of the government’s declaration that it will not be able to provide the previously promised Ksh 22,244 capitation per student annually, instead offering a reduced amount of Ksh 17,000.

CS Machogu has firmly instructed school heads to comply with the Ministry’s regulations, which explicitly forbid the collection of unapproved fees. In his direct communication, Machogu emphasized the importance of adhering to current policies and guidelines set by the

Ministry of Education concerning illegal levies. He reiterated that it is entirely prohibited for schools to impose any unapproved charges on students or parents.

In a related development, Willy Kuria, the national chairman of the Kenya Secondary Schools Heads Association (KESSHA), had earlier proposed increasing the tuition fees for national schools from Ksh 53,000 to Ksh 69,000.

This proposal was driven by the rising cost of living and inflation. Kuria highlighted that their request for a fee hike is currently under consideration at the Ministry, stressing the need to reassess the whole concept of capitation and school fees.

However, Machogu clarified that the government regulates the maximum fees that can be charged at each school level.

Additionally, the CS issued a clear warning to principals against withholding Kenya National Examination Council certificates for any reason, including non-payment of fees. He stressed that school administrators are legally obligated to enforce this rule.

Machogu Warns School Heads On Increasing School Fees

CS Machogu urged school principals to strictly comply with these legal and policy requirements. He assured stakeholders that despite the capitation challenges, the Ministry of Education is committed to establishing a supportive policy and legal framework for the education sector. This effort includes finalizing 13 Bills and a draft Sessional Paper designed to implement the recommendations of the Presidential Working Party on Education Reform.

The CS also commended education professionals for their role in assisting Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) candidates in adapting to the new marking scheme, which resulted in improved performance last year. He reported that in 2023, 22% of candidates met the minimum university entry requirements, up from 19% in 2022.

To address ongoing challenges, Machogu urged principals to focus on preparing this year’s KCSE candidates for the national examination. He reaffirmed the government’s commitment to ensuring that education remains relevant in the 21st century and that the youth of the nation are provided with a brighter future.

Machogu Warns School Heads On Increasing School Fees