The Education Ministry has issued a directive public secondary schools to refund parents fees charged besides the authority has approved.
Read also: Kenya Secondary schools fees structure 2021/2022; FSDE Guidelines
In a circular dated 9th August, 2021 the ministry has noted that some schools continue to charge fees outside the guidelines leading to dissatisfaction from the parents and guardians.Â
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The directive was informed by numerous complaints from parents, sponsors of needy students and the general public regarding schools charging illegal levies.Â
— EduMinKenya (@EduMinKenya) August 10, 2021
The directive furthe indicates that no public school or institution shall issue alternative fees structures other than those approved by the Cabinet Secretary. Similarly, person or Board of Management in a public institution of basic education and training shall alter or increase fees without written authority from the Cabinet Secretary.Â
At the same time the ministry has cautioned regional and county bosses that any unreported case(s) of a school(s) charging illegal levies will attract sanction on the responsible officer.
Regional and County bosses of education have been urged report cases of schools that are charging extra levies and should be submitted to director secondary via email address: directorsecondary2018@gmail.com for compiling and further processing.Â
Any school that desires to charge amounts above the stipulated fees must make a formal request to the Cabinet Secretary and will only charge after written authorization has been granted.
In addition, the education ministry has further directed that no child will be sent away for non–payment of such fees.
Furthermore, schools have been ordered to display their fees structure prominently on their notice boards. Any fees collected above the revised guidelines be refunded or treated as prepayment of fees for continuing students.Â