Meria
Elder Lister
The government deployed education officials to various public institutions after parents complained about being overcharged by school heads.
Education Principal Secretary Belio Kipsang, on Thursday, February 9, deployed Regional, County and Sub-County Directors of Education in a multi-agency operation.
The education bosses were directed to launch investigations immediately and gather evidence on how various headteachers defied government directives by imposing outlawed charges on parents.
Among the areas Kipsang directed them to investigate included imposing admission fees, purchasing desks, buying textbooks and demanding lunch money which he stated was a complete contravention of government directives and policies.
Besides forwarding the names of various school heads who defied the directive, the Education Principal Secretary directed Regional, County and Sub-County Directors of Education to stop the scheme forcing parents to pay extra fees.
"Your attention is drawn to regulation 44 of the Basic Education Act, 2013, which states that, “No public school or institution shall issue alternative fees structure other than those approved by the Cabinet Secretary," the PS stated.
Headteachers found culpable risk suspension and expulsion, with the Teachers Service Commission (TSC) directed to enforce disciplinary action.
While defending the action, Kipsang explained that the government had allocated Ksh15,000 per child in Junior Secondary Schools and Ksh22,244.
Kipsang's directive came after parents lamented over extra levies imposed by various schools, especially for students joining form one and those transitioning to Junior Secondary Schools.
To facilitate the transition, Education Cabinet Secretary Ezekiel Machogu promised to push for the release of resources to ensure smooth learning.
"Parents should report incidents of any students turned away for not paying higher fees and other levies to the nearest education office for action," Machogu directed.
" I also wish to challenge parents and guardians to take their obligations seriously by ensuring prompt payment of school fees in boarding schools," he insisted.
Education Principal Secretary Belio Kipsang, on Thursday, February 9, deployed Regional, County and Sub-County Directors of Education in a multi-agency operation.
The education bosses were directed to launch investigations immediately and gather evidence on how various headteachers defied government directives by imposing outlawed charges on parents.
Among the areas Kipsang directed them to investigate included imposing admission fees, purchasing desks, buying textbooks and demanding lunch money which he stated was a complete contravention of government directives and policies.
Besides forwarding the names of various school heads who defied the directive, the Education Principal Secretary directed Regional, County and Sub-County Directors of Education to stop the scheme forcing parents to pay extra fees.
"Your attention is drawn to regulation 44 of the Basic Education Act, 2013, which states that, “No public school or institution shall issue alternative fees structure other than those approved by the Cabinet Secretary," the PS stated.
Headteachers found culpable risk suspension and expulsion, with the Teachers Service Commission (TSC) directed to enforce disciplinary action.
While defending the action, Kipsang explained that the government had allocated Ksh15,000 per child in Junior Secondary Schools and Ksh22,244.
Kipsang's directive came after parents lamented over extra levies imposed by various schools, especially for students joining form one and those transitioning to Junior Secondary Schools.
To facilitate the transition, Education Cabinet Secretary Ezekiel Machogu promised to push for the release of resources to ensure smooth learning.
"Parents should report incidents of any students turned away for not paying higher fees and other levies to the nearest education office for action," Machogu directed.
" I also wish to challenge parents and guardians to take their obligations seriously by ensuring prompt payment of school fees in boarding schools," he insisted.
