Education CS Ogamba Addresses Extra Levies and Uniform Costs in Schools.
The government has reassured it’s dedication to ensuring a 100% transition of students to high school. It supports this initiative by providing capitation funds for each student.
However, it has been reported that some schools impose additional levies, ranging from Ksh 6,000 to Ksh 12,000, purportedly to cover costs such as food. These charges are mandatory, forcing students to pay whether they consume the food or not.
Consequently, many students are sent home and risk dropping out due to the inability to meet these financial demands.
The additional levies imposed by teachers and principals have been identified as a major cause of school dropouts.
Unlawful Sale of School Uniforms
In addition to the levies, concerns have been raised about principals directing parents to purchase uniforms exclusively from schools, often at inflated prices.
Join Teachers Updates on Facebook
For instance, a school in Bungoma reportedly issued instructions requiring students to buy uniforms directly from the institution at exorbitant rates.
Such practices are considered irregular and exploitative.
While appearing before the National Assembly Plenary session to respond to issues and questions raised by legislators on the state of the education sector in our country last week, the Ministry of Education emphasized that these practices, including extra levies and restrictions on uniform purchases, are both irregular and unlawful.
Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Ogamba assured stakeholders that immediate action would be taken against any principals or teachers found guilty of such misconduct.
The Ministry reiterated its commitment to ensuring schools comply with set regulations to avoid burdening parents and students with unnecessary financial demands.
Members of Parliament have called on the Ministry to enhance oversight and enforce the regulations passed earlier, including those prohibiting schools from selling uniforms directly.
Education CS Ogamba Addresses Extra Levies and Uniform Costs in Schools
