Parents and schools are staring at the stark possibility of hiked fees in January 2024, with prices of commodities rising each passing day.
Though the fee raises may be attributed to the escalating cost of living, there is also the fact that the last time fees were hiked was ten years ago, leaving head teachers grappling with a vexing dilemma whether to request parents to pay more or adhere to the Ministry of Education’s (MoE) existing guidelines.
Both public and private school administrators find it increasingly difficult to sustain their institutions within the current budgets given the surging cost of living.
Charles Ochome, chairman of the Kenya Private School Heads Association (KPAS), acknowledges the necessity of an increase, indicating that maintaining the quality of services hinges on this financial adjustment.
The magnitude of the fee increments will likely vary among different schools as private schools operate with relative autonomy in setting their fees structure.
Consequently, this surge in school fees will impact many parents especially in urban areas where public school options are limited.
The rising prices of essential commodities, particularly foodstuff, force school principals to confront the unenviable choice between increasing fees or trimming their services.
However, they are wary of potential student unrest should these measures not be handled with utmost care.
An MoE official recognizes the need to revisit fee guidelines for public schools, but also criticizes school principals for financial mismanagement.
Any fee increase or additional charges for public schools requires official authorization from the ministry.
The government’s allocation per learner in primary schools set two decades ago during the tenure of former President Mwai Kibaki remains fixed at Ksh1,420. Secondary school learners receive a capitation of Ksh22,244 per student, while those in junior secondary schools (JSS) are allotted Ksh15,042.
Some principals attribute their predicament to government’s directive that prohibits schools from sending students home for unpaid fees.
One principal revealed the rejection of his proposal to raise fees by 30 per cent by the County Director of Education. Situations like this have forced schools to resort to unorthodox measures such as altering the academic calendar to save on costs.
As this financial conundrum unfolds, parents find themselves at the centre of a complex equation that balances the quality of education against the rising cost of living.
By Viola Chepkemoi
Get more stories from our website: Education News
To write to us or offer feedback, you can reach us at: editor@educationnews.co.ke
You can also follow our social media pages on Twitter: Education News KE and Facebook: Education News Newspaper for timely updates.
>>> Click here to stay up-to-date with trending regional stories
