As December draws closer, Kenyan parents are eager to know the Government’s stand on the school fees structure as proposed by a task force on the modalities of making education affordable.
The cost of education has continued to rise and there have been growing fears that if nothing is done, many would be unable to access it, thus being locked out of the opportunities it affords in the job markets.
With a human development index of 0.519 according to the World Bank, Kenya is one of the most unequal societies. Japan, the world’s third largest economy, has an HDI rate of 0.912, Brazil 0.744 and Singapore 0.895.
The Vision 2030 blueprint might become a mirage if the income disparities remain steep. Education therefore provides a way out of the pits of poverty for many. But with high costs of education, the opportunity was slipping out of the hands of many, especially those born into humble backgrounds. Proposals in the report presented to President Uhuru Kenyatta last month include students in boarding schools paying a maximum of Sh38,969 while day scholars pay a maximum of Sh11,105 a year. Special needs school would charge slightly higher at Sh22,830 per year.
These allocations basically cover the cost of repairs and maintenance, boarding, electricity, teaching and learning materials, meals, local travel, water, activity fees and personal emoluments.
In addition to this, the Government assured parents that effective next year, it would waive examination fees in primary and secondary schools. That is commendable. On this pledge, the Government has acted.
These grants are a welcome relief to parents who have students in Standard Eight and Form Four in public schools. Yet it was reported in sections of the media recently that some school heads had asked parents to start paying the examination fees this month.
This is clearly illegal for, even if the Government had not given its commitment, candidates would normally register for exams between January and March of the examination year, not earlier. As such, parents should remain vigilant not to fall prey to scheming head teachers out to fleece them before the circular comes out. There have been incidents where some head teachers have taken examination fees from students, but failed to register them.
It is these unscrupulous head teachers who want to take advantage of parents. Action must be taken against these few.
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