Knut defends school heads over hiked fees

By Gilbert Kimutai and Charles Ngeno

Kenya: The Kenya National Union of Teachers (Knut) has defended head teachers from accusations that they have arbitrarily raised school fees.

Knut Secretary General Wilson Sossion asked those pointing an accusing fingers at school heads to go slow, arguing that their decisions were informed by the rising cost of living.

“The heads are charging new school fees that has been calculated based on the current cost of commodities. Having imposed VAT on books and other essential commodities, the government cannot expect heads of schools to charge the same amount that they charged two years ago,” said Sossion.

Speaking at Tenwek High School during the institution’s alumni association day, Sossion said it is wrong to condemn school managers because the new fees structures are based on realistic costs that will help guarantee provision of quality learning.

He called on the Government to revise upwards its capitation per child so as to avoid compromising quality teaching and learning.

“Upward revision of capitation per child in the Free Primary Education and Free Secondary Education allocation is a sure way of implementing the provisions in the Bill of Rights. We demand that the Government increases capitation per child in secondary schools to Sh30,000 and Sh5,000 in primary schools,” he said.

On the recent Government ban on all annual heads association meetings, the unionist regretted that the directive would impact negatively on the provision of quality learning in schools.

“This is a sure way of destroying the teaching profession. These are crucial forums where heads share their experiences and we demand that the Government rescinds that decision forthwith,” he said adding that funds used during such forums usually come from sponsors.