Schools call for more funds free in free primary education programme

By CHARLES NGENO

Teachers have called on the Government to increase money allocated per child in the free primary education programme.

Led by officials from the Kenya National Union of Teachers (Knut), Kenya Union of Post Primary Education Teachers, Kenya Secondary School Heads Association (KSSHA) and Kenya Primary Schools Heads Association, the teachers from Bomet said the current allocation was too little and was not in tandem with the current cost of living. The “capitation per child” is used to determine the amount allocated to schools each year.

The teachers, who were presenting their proposals on how to reduce school fees charged in secondary schools in a Bomet hotel, said the escalating cost of food and the big work force of Board of Management teachers forces them to increase fees.

KSSHA chairman Cornelius Sigei said the Government has never reviewed the capitation per child since its introduction of free primary and secondary education in 2003 and 2008 respectively.

Generating income

“We ask the ministry to also consider increasing the capitation per child to be in tandem with the current cost of living. Since the introduction of free primary and secondary education, the capitation has never been increased,” said Mr Sigei, adding that head teachers raise school fees because of fluctuating prices of essential commodities.

The association wants capitation per child in secondary schools to increase to Sh30,000 and Sh5,000 in primary schools.

Knut Executive Secretary Malel Langat urged schools to seek alternative sources of generating income.

He advised schools to initiate projects such as rearing of livestock, growing of crops and even purchasing of vehicles for commercial purposes to cut down on the fees they charge parents.

“If schools were to engage in ventures such as farming, then they would be saved from the fluctuating costs of essential goods such as maize,” said Mr Langat.

He asked the Government to address teacher shortages if it was sincere about saving parents from high fees.

“Some schools like Longisa Boys have employed over 30 teachers whose salaries are paid by parents. In such schools, each student is expected to pay an extra Sh4,000,” said Langat.

The recommendations of the task force will guide the ministry on setting the optimum secondary school fees amid concerns that the current rates are locking the poor out of post-primary education.