This archive report was first published on 9 July 2020.
On July 8, 2020, Education Cabinet Secretary Prof. George Magoha announced that schools in Kenya would not reopen until January 2021, due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The following day, he clarified that school heads must either refund fees paid for the second and third term of 2020 or come to an alternative agreement with parents to let the fees cover for next year when schools reopen.
Prof. Magoha explained that the directive applies to the second and third term fees and not any unutilized fee for the remainder of the first term. He stated that parents who had made payments would receive an advance for next year when classes resume.
However, Prof. Magoha noted that the first term school fees had already been spent, and therefore, could not be refunded. This announcement comes as a relief for parents who had paid fees for the entire 2020 academic year, particularly those with children in private schools.
Kenya Secondary Heads Association chairman Kahi Indimuli suggested that instead of refunding the money in cash, the amounts be forwarded to the next year. He argued that refunding the money would result in unnecessary fights between school administrations and parents.
Kenya Parents Association chairman Nicholas Maiyo proposed that the fees be taken to next year and that parents who already paid full fees for the 2020 academic year should not be worried as the matter will be handled with the school heads.
