Cabinet Secretary for Education Prof George Magoha has directed school principals not to allow learners to have fees arrears in schools as they report from their mid-term break.
Prof Magoha said that the Ministry knows that most of the parents who have not paid school fees arrears are actually capable of paying but took advantage of the Ministry’s directive to school principals not to send learners home.
The ministry’s directive had been made in light of the coronavirus pandemic and the economic recession that had clouded the whole world due to the cessation of movement in many countries.
However, CS Magoha implored school principals to be understanding to students whom they know come from poor families. This includes parents who lost their jobs during the COVID-19 pandemic.
While speaking at the Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (JKUAT) on Monday, CS Magoha said that school principals should first find out the backgrounds of the students before sending them home to collect fees balances. The CS had attended a handing over the event of an Agricultural Laboratory Building Annex to the university (JKUAT).
“Our population is very interesting because we know that well-off parents have failed to pay school fees for the third term, pretending that they are suffering during this pandemic period. Your children will not be allowed back to class if you will not have cleared school fees. However, if you come from needy families, the head-teachers will listen to your case,” said Prof George Magoha.
Recently, the government released Sh. 2.8 billion capitations for primary schools and Sh. 6.5 billion to free secondary school education.
Magoha also revealed that the remaining Sh. 6.5 bilion for free secondary school program will be released soon.
Compliance with the Ministry of Health’s Covid-19 protocols will also be an issue that schools will still have to adhere to as schools reopen with the COVID-19 pandemic still with us. Education officials will move around schools across the country to ensure that the COVID-19 protocols are being adhered to.
According to the CS, the Ministry of Education has enough face masks which will be distributed to schools that need them to aid in containing the COVID-19 pandemic.
On Form one selection, Prof. Magoha said that the exercise is going on and before the 15th of June, students will begin receiving letters of admission.
“We have ensured that there is absolute fairness in Form One selection and especially for the intelligent and poor children from slum areas. By mid-this month, all students who sat for their KCPE examination will know that secondary schools that they have been called to pursue their education,” said Prof Magoha.