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KUPPET has has backed proposals by secondary school principals to review fees structure, arguing that the rates set in 2015 are no longer sustainable under current economic conditions.
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Akelo Misori said revising school fees would help institutions cope with rising operational costs while contributing to stability in schools.
The Kenya Union of Post-Primary Education Teachers (KUPPET) has backed proposals by secondary school principals to review fees structure, arguing that the rates set in 2015 are no longer sustainable under current economic conditions.
KUPPET Secretary General Akelo Misori said revising school fees would help institutions cope with rising operational costs while contributing to stability in schools.
“Unfortunately, schools are still being run using the 2015 fees structure, yet the economy has changed. We support the plan to review the fee structure in accordance with economic times,” Misori said.
The union’s endorsement comes as the Kenya Senior Schools Heads Association (KESSHA) formally presented fee increment proposals to Basic Education Principal Secretary (PS) John Ololtuaa during the 49th KESSHA Annual National Conference in Mombasa.
KESSHA Chairman Willy Kuria said the existing fee structure, introduced in 2015, has failed to keep pace with the changing economic environment.
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“The current fees charged in secondary schools were set in 2015, about 11 years ago. It is, therefore, no longer possible to sustainably run our institutions under the existing framework,” Kuria said.
KESSHA said prices of goods and services commonly used in schools have risen by an average of 65.3 percent over the past decade.
The association pointed to the cost of photocopy paper, which increased from Ksh420 per ream in 2015 to approximately Ksh800 in 2026. Similar increases have been recorded in food supplies, fuel, electricity, salaries and construction materials.
The school heads also noted that boarding schools currently spend approximately Ksh242 per learner per day on meals, covering breakfast, lunch and supper.
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KUPPET Deputy Secretary General Moses Nthurima separately faulted the government for inconsistent and delayed capitation releases, saying schools continue to struggle financially as a result.
KESSHA data shows schools received an average of Ksh10,636.92 per learner for operational expenses between 2020 and 2025; barely different from the Ksh10,625 allocated in 2008. By 2025, schools were owed Ksh22.5 billion after receiving only Ksh15,383 per learner instead of the expected Ksh22,244.
The situation persisted in 2026, when schools received just 35 percent of the first-term allocation and 21.8 percent of the second-term allocation, creating substantial budget gaps across institutions.
KESSHA said the government must either increase capitation to match current costs or allow schools to adjust fees accordingly.
By Benedict Aoya
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