Kilifi, KENYA: Kilifi County Director of Education Moses Karati has ordered secondary school principals to return extra money charged as school fees to parents, contrary to the standard fees.
Karati said all school heads who will dishonor the directive by education ministry will face the full force of the law.
Speaking on Monday after a meeting with heads of public secondary schools in the County, Karati said already he has received reports regarding the same issue.
“No school is allowed to exceed sh. 12,000 for boarding schools, sh. 32,000 for special schools and sh. 9,000 for day schools,” said Karati.
“I have reports that some of you (principals) have been charging students in excess of the standard stipulated school fees by the Ministry of education, my urge is that anyone of who has ever been involved in search issues must immediately refund it back to the parents.” He added.
He said teachers would be allowed to ask for extra fees only after getting confirmation from education Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang’i and would only be after submission of a proposal to the County Education Board for analysis.
Karati asked the school heads to give priority to essential issues in their schools, instead of demanding extra money from parents to address issues which can have alternative solutions.
“Why should you demand millions to purchase a school bus and yet you have no classrooms and yet you can hire a vehicle for your school activities?” He asked.
The County Director asked parents to give out information whenever they feel things are not being done the right way in schools.
Professor Gabriel Katana, Chairman Kilifi County Education Board said the government is discouraging freelance charging in schools; which has seen most of the children not attend classes.
“The government is trying to eradicate extra levies that has always been keeping children out of school, in many cases the ministry pays its component to schools but you still find that pupils cannot be in school because they have not paid the other fee,” said Professor Katana.
