Ministry of education has warned school heads that are sending learners home to collect illegal school levies.
Illegal levies range from children in Early Years Education (EYE) being required to buy dozens of text books worth thousands of shillings, to high school fees, remedial cash, lunch levies and dubious monies disguised as “curriculum development fee”.
Second term of the 2022 academic year commenced three weeks ago and in a week’s time the learners will break for half term.
Here is the circular addressing regional and county directors of education
The Government is committed to the constitutional provision of free and compulsory Basic Education, the cost of living notwithstanding.
The Ministry has issued guidelines on fees chargeable in public schools. Further, the Ministry has disbursed 1st quarter capitation for FY 2022/2023.
KES 14,231,781,249.00 has been released for Free Day Secondary Education and KES 2,714,037,012.00 for Free Primary Education.
Schools should therefore cease sending learners home to collect fees and instead give parents an opportunity to make arrangements with them on how to clear any school fees balances.
Reference is drawn to the following circulars:
- Ref: MOE/DSTE/GC/V01.lll dated 7th February, 2014
- Ref: MOE/HQS/3/6/112(1) dated 9th August, 2021
Information reaching the State Department indicates that learners are being sent away from schools to collect fees and other levies.
Circular Ref. MOE.HQS/3/6/116(13) dated 21st September, 2021 requires field officers to compile and forward such cases for action by the Principal Secretary.
This is to reiterate that Principals and head teachers of such schools will not escape culpability and any field officer in whose jurisdiction this practice is being cordoned will be held personally responsible.
You are therefore required to ensure that these instructions are strictly adhered to without exception in your areas of jurisdiction.