Parents Reject Principals Plot of Imposing Additional Fees
The Kenya Parents Association has strongly expressed their displeasure amid reports of school heads imposing additional fees as Form One’s admission is around the corner.
The parents implored school heads to seek the approval of the Ministry of Education.
According to the Standard, most schools are asking Form One parents to pay a fee of between Sh. 5,000 and Sh. 35,000 as ‘development fees’ before they are issued letters of admission to those schools.
The heads of schools gave an indication that the money the government provides is not enough to improve the infrastructure of the schools. They claimed that the COVID-19 pandemic exacerbated the financial situation of schools.
Some principals claimed that they were planning to use the money to build more classes and dormitories for the sake of the learner’s benefit.
Nicholas Maiyo, the Chairperson of the Parents’ Association, implored schools to get the Ministry of Education’s approval before asking for money from parents.
“It surprises me when I hear that parents are paying for Form One admissions. Why so? Parents should only provide money to feed students and also to cover for personal effects,” spoke Maiyo to KTN News.
“Parents should not pay money that cannot be audited. Any money that is paid to schools and the Ministry of Education does not recognize it will automatically not be audited. This indicates a loophole for corruption,” he added.
The Parents’ Association urged the heads of institutions to come out and have discussions concerning the school infrastructure (classes and dormitories) with the Ministry of Education and come up with a solution.
Not long ago, the Education Permanent Secretary Julius Jwan informed parents that any charges levied on them without the approval of the Ministry is illegal and warned told parents to avoid being tricked so easily.
“We have clear guidelines with schools’ management boards should do when they need to raise additional funds…so we cannot leave it open for all schools to begin charging extra levies,” said Julius Jwan.
School principals on their part blamed the Ministry of Education for not funding the maintenance of laboratories, the school kitchen, and the maintenance of windows amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
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