This archive report was first published on 5 January 2020.
As schools reopen for the 2020 term, parents are facing a new wave of financial burdens, with many struggling to cope with the introduction of new fees and levies by school administrators.
According to a survey by the Sunday Nation, hundreds of schools have introduced fees for admission, school uniform, development, transport, and reference materials, in addition to the normal school fees.
Parents' Association chairman Nicholas Maiyo revealed that he had discovered several levies that had been imposed by some schools, which parents had to meet before their children could be admitted for the first term.
One primary school in Nairobi, for example, required parents of Grade One pupils to pay a Sh1,000 annual PTA charge, Sh1,000 annual diaries charge, primary insurance fees at Sh1,700, caution money (Sh3,000), maintenance fee (Sh1,000), activity fee (Sh1,500), and a further Sh2,500 for snacks.
The school also asked learners to buy textbooks, workbooks, and children's storybooks, as well as other items such as acrylic paint, painting brushes, spring files, and photocopying paper.
Mr. Maiyo received complaints from thousands of parents, including one case where a primary school headteacher demanded Sh20,000 to admit a pupil.
“Some headteachers have taken advantage of school uniform and school infrastructure to ask parents to pay extra fees,” he said.
Others were asking for transfer fees, while some wanted learners graduating from pre-primary to Grade One to pay caution fees of up to Sh2,000, despite having paid the same when they joined their schools last year.
Parents who spoke to the Sunday Nation revealed that schools were demanding extra charges to be paid into a different account other than the one for school fees.
The Ministry of Education allows school heads to open bank accounts for school fees and government funding, but this has raised concerns about accountability and transparency.
Kenya Secondary Schools Heads Association (Kessha) Chairman Kahi Indimuli defended the move, saying that schools ask for extra charges only if they agree with the ministry and get its approval.
However, parents are not convinced, with some complaining that schools are taking advantage of them financially.
“School principals must not take advantage of parents and ask for extra fees,” said Mr. Maiyo.
The parents' association has also opposed a proposal by Kessha to increase school fees, with Mr. Maiyo terming the move a strategy by schools to milk parents financially.
As schools reopen, parents are facing a new wave of financial burdens, with many struggling to cope with the introduction of new fees and levies by school administrators.
Published on January 5, 2020, by the Sunday Nation.
