Parents anxiety as Form Ones report to school

Parents were yesterday grappling with exorbitant costs of items and levies as they prepare to take Form One students to their respective secondary schools today.

A spot check by People Daily across the country reveals that many secondary schools required parents to part with between Sh20,000 and Sh30,000 for school uniform, besides other costs such as bedding.

It emerged that majority of the schools needed parents to buy the uniform from the schools, contrary to the government policy. “We are being asked to buy uniform at the school at Sh25,300,” said a parent whose daughter has been admitted to a school in Nandi county.  

Another extra-county school from Kakamega county asked parents to pay Sh500 for their sons to be shaved at the school when they report today.

Institution’s specifications

 The fee structure seen by People Daily required each form one to pay the amount so that their sons could be shaved according to the institution’s specifications. “We are required to pay the amount to the school’s account when we take the boys tomorrow,” said a parent who sought anonymity for fear of his son being victimised. 

In another bizarre case, an extra county girl’s school in Murang’a county required parents to provide their daughters with scrubbing brushes. Costs some of the schools are asking for include money to cover creative and practical subjects, National Education Management Information System (NEMIS), students electronic card, ream papers, labelling, school bus, and hymn books among others.

Parents have been required to pay all these costs to the schools’ account.

This came as President William Ruto yesterday assured that adequate arrangements have been made to ensure all learners continue learning in an interrupted environment. “This week, children will go back to school and I want to assure Kenyans that the Government has put in place adequate measures to ensure that when they go back, everything will be in place to facilitate their learning,” said the President, during a Sunday service in Ruai, Nairobi county.

Ruto said the government has released about Sh36 billion to ensure all children are facilitated in terms of books, teachers and other requirements for learning to run smoothly.

The President said that the Government has completed the process to employ 30,000 teachers to facilitate learning in schools.  “So, as our children go back to school tomorrow (today), we have made adequate arrangement so that our children can learn in an environment that is uninterrupted.”

Schools cautioned

Education Cabinet Secretary, Ezekiel Machogu has separately cautioned schools against charging unauthorised levies as learners join Form One.

Machogu said the Ministry has issued fees guidelines for the boarding students to which schools should strictly adhere to, adding that learners should not be overburdened with unnecessary requirements.

“Principals should exercise caution while listing the requirements so that the cost of education is reduced as much as possible. Principals should ensure that no student is sent away from school over illegal levies,” the CS directed.

The CS said public secondary school fees for the 2023 academic calendar year will not be changed and will remain at Sh53,554 while that of County and Extra-County schools will remain at Sh40,555.