The Ministry of Education has cautioned public schools against charging extra school fees other than those approved by the government.

Director of Secondary and Tertiary Education Paul Kibet has revealed in a statement that the Ministry has received many complaints from the parents, sponsors of needy students and the general public regarding schools charging extra fees.

“It is noted that schools recover these levies upfront before crediting money paid as fees into the students’ fees accounts. This makes students have false fees arrears leading to them being sent home. Where lunch program is in place, the same should be made optional and be reasonable taking into consideration the reduced term or academic year,” Kibet stated.

Kibet further pointed out that no person or Board of Management in a public institution of basic education and training shall interfere or increase fees without written authority from the Cabinet Secretary professor George Magoha.

“No child will be sent away for non-payment of such fees. Schools are ordered to display their fees structure prominently on their notice boards. Any fees collected above the revised guidelines be refunded or treated as prepayment of fees for continuing students,” he added.

At the same time, Kibet directed all the County and Sub County Directors of Education to report any Board of Management whose institution is charging illegal levies to the Principal Secretary with immediate effect for they shall be committing offence under the Basic Education Regulations ACT 2015.

The government revised school fees for this year’s academic calendar where by the national schools will charge Sh8, 500 less while Extra-County and County schools will charge Sh5, 500 less. This means that learners in national schools will pay Sh45,000 while those in extra county schools will pay Sh35,000.

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