Editor's Review

“No public school or institution shall issue alternative fee structure other than those approved by the Cabinet Secretary."

The Ministry of Education is now mulling punishing teachers who defied directives not to charge learners extra costs as directed earlier. 

A notice by the Basic Education PS indicated that the ministry has taken note of some teachers who defied the directives and went on to charge parents some fees. 

In the communique to sub-county, county, and regional directors, the ministry wants the officers to act on the matter and carry out probes on those involved.

The PS wants the education officers to investigate the imposing of admission fees, purchasing of desks, buying of textbooks and demanding lunch money.

Education CS Ezekiel Machogu. PHOTO | COURTESY

The charges, he said, are in complete contravention of government directives and policies.

"Your attention is drawn to regulation 44 of the Basic Education Act, 2013, which states that, “No public school or institution shall issue alternative fees structure other than those approved by the Cabinet Secretary," the PS  said in the statement.

While defending the action, Kipsang explained that the government had allocated Ksh15,000 per child in Junior Secondary Schools and Ksh22,244.

This he said was enough to cater for the needs of the learners saying extra costs should not be passed to parents.

Headteachers found culpable risk suspension and expulsion, with the Teachers Service Commission (TSC) directed to enforce disciplinary action.