Parents in the South Rift region have appealed to school principals not to send students home over unpaid school fees, citing tough economic times.
Led by Elice Sinei and Florence Busienei, the parents urged school administrators to open dialogue with families instead of sending learners away.
They noted that most parents in the region depend on farming, especially tea, which has seen irregular income patterns.
“We are not refusing to pay fees,” said Elice Sinei. “All we ask is for school heads to understand our situation and give us time to make payments, especially since tea bonuses come in the middle of the month, not the end.”
Florence Busienei echoed the sentiments, saying, “Sending children home only disrupts their education and puts unnecessary pressure on families. Let’s talk and agree on flexible payment plans.”
The parents, speaking to the press in Kericho and Bomet towns, also called on the government to ensure that capitation funds are released on time.
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They said delayed disbursements have made it difficult for schools to maintain operations, including running feeding programs and providing essential learning materials.
“When capitation delays, our children suffer,” added Sinei. “Schools struggle to function, and the burden falls back on already strained parents.”
Students are currently returning to school after a one-week midterm break. At the same time, pressure is mounting on the government to not only release capitation on time but also increase the allocation to public schools to ensure smooth learning.
By KIMUTAI LANGAT
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