Parents of Marimanti Day and Boarding Primary School in Tharaka South sub county, Tharaka Nithi County, have raised serious concerns over what they term as excessive and unauthorized school charges that go beyond the government-approved fee guidelines.
According to the parents, the school administration has allegedly failed to adhere to the official fee structure, instead introducing additional levies that continue to strain families already grappling with tough economic conditions.
They claim that beyond the standard fees, some class teachers are imposing extra charges under various categories, including tour fees, motivation fees and other informal contributions that are not clearly justified.
A major concern highlighted by the parents is the issue of compulsory school trips.
They argue that these trips, which should ideally be optional, have been made mandatory, further increasing the financial burden. One example cited is a planned trip to Mombasa costing Ksh10,000 per pupil.
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Parents question the high cost, especially given that the school reportedly owns a bus donated by the area member of parliament, which should significantly reduce transport expenses.
Additionally, parents pointed to another planned trip to Meru National Park costing Ksh2,000 per learner. They argue that the actual cost of transport to and from the park would be much lower, estimating it at approximately Ksh700 using public transport.
Frustrated by what they describe as a lack of transparency and fairness, the parents are now calling on education cabinet secretary Julius Ogamba to urgently intervene and investigate the matter.
They are urging the Ministry of Education to ensure schools strictly follow approved fee structures and protect parents from exploitation.
The parents are also appealing to the school administration to address their concerns promptly, warning that the current situation is placing undue pressure on many households struggling to make ends meet.
By Kithinji Njeru
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