KUPPET Backs School Fee Increase, Blames State for Funding Gaps.
As students resumed classes for the second term, parents voiced concern over increased school fees and new charges introduced by principals. These adjustments have been made despite a clear government directive instructing schools not to raise fees.
Parents are particularly burdened by the growing costs, including expenses for books and uniforms, and have appealed to schools to avoid sending students home over unpaid fees, requesting more time to settle balances.
In response to the public outcry, the Kenya Union of Post Primary School Teachers (KUPPET) defended the school heads, attributing the hikes to the government’s delay in disbursing capitation funds.
Bungoma County KUPPET officials, led by Executive Secretary Augustine Kundu Luketelo, emphasized that the increase in fees was necessary for schools to continue functioning. They explained that the government frequently releases capitation funds late and often in incomplete amounts, leaving schools with significant financial shortfalls.
Luketelo said that principals are under intense pressure, as the capitation rarely covers operational needs, and inflation has made it impossible to sustain school activities without asking parents for additional financial support. He added that it is unreasonable to expect schools to function without adequate funding when prices for goods and services are continually rising.
Capitation Delays Threaten Learning
As the second term progressed into its second day, schools were still waiting for the government to release the necessary funds. Education officials warned that if the funds were not disbursed by Friday, schools might be forced to suspend operations due to financial constraints.
They said they had expected the funds before the term started and urged the government to act swiftly to prevent disruptions.
The urgency of the situation was also echoed by the Kenya National Union of Teachers (KNUT) Secretary General Hesbon Otieno, who highlighted the importance of timely funding to support the transition of Grade 9 students. These students are currently selecting their senior secondary school pathways as part of ongoing curriculum reforms.
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Otieno said that institutions must be well-equipped to ensure smooth processing of the transition and avoid frustration among school heads. He stressed that timely financial support is essential in enabling schools to carry out the necessary preparations for Grade 10 selection without delays.
Meanwhile, many parents have continued to express frustration over the increasing cost of school-related items. They called on the government to intervene and regulate school expenses to ease the burden on households already strained by inflation. Some parents also shared concerns that their children might miss school if strict fee policies are enforced.
KUPPET Backs School Fee Increase, Blames State for Funding Gaps.
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