The government has directed all public schools to strictly adhere to the approved fees structure, warning institutions against charging tuition fees or introducing unauthorized levies beyond the set guidelines.
This comes after Ministry of Education in Gazette notice, announced a new senior school fees structure for learners in public institutions under both the Competency-Based Education (CBE) and the 8-4-4 systems.
The directive emphasizes that no public school shall charge tuition fees or any other extra fees outside the stipulated framework.
The notice, issued by Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Migos Ogamba under the Basic Education Act, outlines the approved charges for day, boarding, and special needs schools, with the government covering a significant portion of the costs to ease the financial burden on parents.
Under the guidelines, schools are required to spread the approved fees across the three school terms at a ratio of 50:30:20.
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Institutions charging below the set ceilings have been encouraged to maintain their current rates, while any future adjustments to the fees structure must be approved by the Cabinet Secretary and formally gazetted.
The government said the move is aimed at protecting parents from exploitation through unauthorized school charges while promoting fairness and transparency in the education sector.
The directive also seeks to standardize school fees across the country and ensure equal access to education for all learners.
The fees structure covers key vote heads including teaching and learning materials, maintenance and improvement, activity fees, medical insurance and other administrative costs.
For special needs schools, additional provisions have been made for boarding equipment, stores, and support services to cater for learners with unique educational requirements.
Education stakeholders have welcomed the directive, noting that it will enhance accountability in school management and reduce the financial pressure on families.
The ministry warned that any violations of the approved fees structure will attract appropriate action in accordance with education laws.
By Phillip Koech
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