Education

State to take action against schools charging illegal fees

Education PS Belio Kipsang at a past event.

By Lucy Mumbi | Friday, February 2, 2024

He called on education stakeholders across the country to bring such cases to his attention.

The Ministry of Education has ordered all public schools to cease asking parents for extra levies outside the authorized fees guidelines.

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Education Principal Secretary Belio Kipsang' said the Constitution of Kenya 2010 mandates the government to implement free and compulsory basic education for all school-going children.

He, however, said the rule has been negated by public schools that are reported to be charging parents unauthorised levies.

"Primary and Junior Schools are predominantly day schools and the Ministry caters for the requisite tuition requirements through Capitation; for the avoidance of doubt, no fees will be charged by Public Primary and Junior Schools," Kipsang said in a statement on Friday.

He called on directors of education at regional, county and sub-county levels to bring to his attention any case where a school principal, board of management and head teachers resort to charging unauthorized levies.

"Every sub-county director and county director of education will be held liable for any breach within their area of jurisdiction," he said.

"County Directors and Sub County Directors of Education should utilize a multi-agency approach to ensure adherence to the authorized fees structure and implementation of Free and Compulsory Basic Education."

Additionally, the Ministry directed schools to comply with a circular issued on May 30, 2023, banning schools from selling or stocking uniforms and boarding items.

"All Secondary schools must adhere and comply with authorized fees structure under Kenya Gazette Notice No. 1555 of March 2015 payable in the spread ratio of 50 per cent, 30 per cent and 20 per cent in 1st term, 2nd term and 3rd term respectively," Kipsang said.

Further, all schools are required to fill out fee declaration forms which should be countersigned by the sub-county director of education.

"All completed forms be submitted to the Ministry Headquarters by February 9, 2024, in both hard and soft copies. Soft copies should be submitted via directorsecondary@education.go.ke," Kipsang said.