Fred Matiang'i’s pronouncement on school fees is laudable

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.

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.