Secondary school principals have submitted a proposal to the Ministry of Education, that if adopted, could require parents to pay up to Sh27,000 more for their children’s education.
The proposal arises from inadequate capitation funds from the government, resulting in schools having massive debts.
The Kenya Secondary Schools Heads Association (KESSHA) argues that the capitation funds, which were last reviewed in 2018, have not only been reduced but also failed to account for inflation over the years.
The association recommends revising school fees across all categories of schools, which would effectively bring an end to the Free Day Secondary Education program.
The proposal details the daily expenses of educating a secondary school student in relation to the government’s annual allocation of Sh22,224 per learner, as well as the current fees and the prices of common commodities.
In addition, principals want parents with children in international schools to pay an extra sh. 19,628 per year and those in extra-county schools by sh. 27,488, while those in day schools pay sh. 5,372 per year.
“The partial and delayed release of capitation funds, along with the increasing costs of goods and services, has put immense pressure on the management and sustainability of schools,” reads the proposal signed by chairperson Willy Kuria.
“Moreover, the inadequate fees charged to students do not align with the current economic conditions, worsening the financial challenges. If this situation is not urgently addressed by the appropriate authorities, secondary schools in Kenya are at risk of shutting down,” it added.
The association stated that many schools are unable to purchase sufficient learning materials, pay non-teaching staff or provide quality meals for student. Additionally, co-curricular activities have been affected, as schools have had to reduce these programs due to lack of funding.
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“The fees of Sh12,750 are insufficient to support boarding students. The anticipated grant-in-aid of Sh35,370 is not fully received; for instance, in the 2023/2024 year, only Sh26,148 was received, resulting in a shortfall of Sh9,222” the report states.
The lobby of the principals further attributed the increase in the number of students failing national exams to financial hardships.
The association is urging the government to fully disburse capitation funds at the approved rate and address the existing deficit. Additionally, the report suggests revising the school fee structure to align with the current economic condition.
“We hope these concerns will be addressed to ensure quality education for Kenyan learners. The government must take action to keep schools running and provide students with the necessary resources needed to succeed,” it addressed.
