School heads across the country will soon be held accountable regarding the management of their institution’s funds by answering questions themselves before the Education Parliamentary Committee in the National Assembly, Education Cabinet Secretary Ezekiel Machogu has revealed.
The CS while speaking during the closing of the annual 47th Kenya Secondary Schools Heads Association (KESSHA) Conference and Exhibition last week held at Sheikh Zayed Hall in Mombasa, said the move is as a result of the education reforms which classify schools as independent audit units accountable to the National Assembly.
He said as a result, Education CS and Principal Secretary will no longer respond to financial queries on behalf of schools when summoned by parliamentary committees. Instead, school heads will need to appear before the Members of Parliament to provide answers themselves.
“My friends, things are changing. I have been answering questions on your behalf, but that will not be the case anymore as secondary schools have now been classified as audit units,” Machogu said.
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At the same time, Machogu warned school heads against imposing unapproved levies in schools.
He said that those found to have done that would face serious repercussions.
His warning comes amid plans by school Principals to increase school fees next term due to delayed capitation funds as students return from their mid-term break.
Schools are yet to receive the full amount of capitation funds allocated for the first term, leaving parents to cover the shortfall in school fees.
Machogu said the government will not be able to disburse the KSh22, 244 capitation required a year for each learner but will instead stick to KSh17, 000.
He blamed the National Treasury for the delay and assured that the ministry is proactively following up on the release of funds to ensure timely disbursement to schools.
By Vostine Ratemo
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