Murang’a parents furious as students are sent home over ‘bread fees’

The parents from Ndakaini Mixed Day Secondary School who sort anonymity said they had been forced to pay an extra Sh960 for bread each term besides the normal tuition fee. [Photo: Courtesy]

Parents from a school in Murang’a County have come out to protest the decision by Ndakaini Mixed Day school administration to send their children home over ‘bread fees’.

The parents who sort anonymity said they had been forced to pay an extra Sh960 for bread each term, besides the normal tuition fee.

It is alleged that students who had failed to pay the ‘bread fees’ were sent home last week with some not having resumed classes as of today. 

According to the parents, the school administration had not consulted them before imposing the fee which is ‘too high’.

“We feel that students should not be sent home for such things, and the Ministry of Education should intervene and help us,” a parent was quoted saying.

Schools warned against charging extra fees

Last year, public secondary schools were warned against introducing illegal levies as part of the school fees.

Speaking during the official launch of Rift Valley region extra County Form one selection exercise at Afraha Secondary school, Regional Education coordinator Mary Gaturu warned that raising of school fees will attract charges of corruption.

“The government has allocated Sh22,244 to every student enrolled in public schools. Parents of those admitted in boarding schools will only top up a little fee to cater for accommodation and meals. Adding extra levies will amount to corruption and such cases will be monitored,” Ms Gaturu said.

She said the move to abolish extra levies in schools is to improve access to education as well as boost retention in schools.