Secondary school principals want fees increased by Sh8, 000, a proposal that will undoubtedly not settle well with parents who are already grappling with strenuous academic calendar with having to pay fees four times in a year.
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According to principals who are meeting in Mombasa under the auspices of the Kenya Secondary Schools Heads Association (Kessha), said the extra money will cushion schools from cash crunch that is biting schools.
At the same time heads of schools have urged government to boost the Free Day Secondary Education (FDSE) capitation in order to get the cash-strapped institutions out of crippling debts.
Kessha chair Kahi Indimuli said that schools are unable to pay suppliers, non-teaching staff and even buy foodstuff to maintain the students. He further added thatif schools get this additional funding, principals will be able to run them more efficiently.
National Parents Association chair Nicholas Maiyo has strongly opposed the proposal stating that parents are already financially overburdened. He, however, supported the demand to increase the capitation.
“We oppose any proposal to increase school fees. Principals should use the funds they receive first and account for it,” Mr Maiyo said. In a memorandum to the Ministry of Education, the school heads have proposed that fees paid by students in boarding secondary schools be increased by Sh8,000 and government capitation raised to about Sh30,000 from the current Sh22,244 allocated per learner annually.
Students in national and extra-county schools in selected towns should this year pay Sh45,000 while those in extra-county schools are required to pay Sh35,000.