Parents Given 27 Days to Enroll Students in SHA Program.
The government has set a 27-day deadline for parents and guardians to register their school-going children with the Social Health Authority (SHA). The Ministry of Education has instructed schools to promptly notify parents about the registration process and offer necessary support to ensure compliance before the cut-off date.
Basic Education Principal Secretary Belio Kipsang has confirmed that the government will proceed with the registration exercise despite any interruptions it may cause. In a directive sent to county and sub-county education officials, he emphasized that the initiative aligns with the constitutional right to healthcare services.
He reiterated that every Kenyan, including children, is mandated to register under SHA, making it the responsibility of parents and guardians to ensure compliance.
Education Ministry Sets Registration Deadline
Parents and guardians have been urged to complete the registration process before February 28, 2025.
To facilitate the process, schools are expected to coordinate with families, ensuring that all learners are duly registered before the deadline.
The Ministry has underscored the importance of the exercise, noting that it is part of the government’s broader agenda to enhance healthcare accessibility for all Kenyans.
The initiative, which was officially launched by Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Ogamba on January 24, will lead to temporary disruptions in public school learning.
During the launch in Mombasa, classroom activities were paused to allow Community Health Promoters to carry out the registration. Moving forward, parents will be required to accompany their children to school for registration, an effort that will necessitate travel for many families.
New Requirements Under Taifa Care
Cabinet Secretary Ogamba has stressed the necessity of registering under the Taifa Care program, urging parents to list their children as dependents. This step is essential in ensuring seamless enrollment of all learners.
The renewed push for registration comes as the government intensifies efforts to enroll all Kenyans in the health scheme, with the ministries of Education and Health working together to oversee the process.
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Transition from EduAfya to Taifa Care
Previously, students were covered under the National Health Insurance Fund (NHIF) through the EduAfya program, which was limited to secondary school students in public institutions.
The government has since replaced this scheme with Taifa Care, an initiative designed to provide coverage for all primary and secondary school learners, thereby broadening access to healthcare services for students across the country.
Parents Given 27 Days to Enroll Students in SHA Program
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