The
pronouncement by Education Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang'i that parents should
not pay any school fees beyond what is stipulated by the ministry is laudable.
It
is apparent that articles 53(1b) and 55(a) of the Constitution guarantee every
child free and compulsory education as well as access to relevant education and
training.
Notably,
the directive has come in the wake of a public outcry. Despite the formation of
various task forces on how to reduce fees in secondary schools, the costs
remain astronomically high.
The
fees in some secondary schools have become an insurmountable impediment to
prospective students. While those in day secondary schools are required to pay
Sh9, 374 and those in boarding Sh53, 553, the reality on the ground proves
otherwise.
Undoubtedly,
if the current trend is allowed to continue, it will be only a matter of time
before all the gains of the Free Primary Education Programme introduced in 2003
are watered down.
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In
fact, it is unconstitutional to deny a student access to education due to lack
of fees. Unfortunately, the reason for raised fees points to insatiable greed
by school managers.