School Principals Propose Fee Increase Amid Government Funding Shortfalls
Principals of secondary schools in Kenya are pushing for a significant rise in school fees, with a proposal to the Ministry of Education that could see parents paying up to an additional Sh27,000 to keep their children in school. The proposal comes in response to the growing financial strain schools are facing due to inadequate government funding and insufficient capitation funds.
The Kenya Secondary Schools Heads Association (KESSHA) has expressed concern over the capitation grant, which has remained stagnant since its last review in 2018. The grant, which stands at Sh22,244 per student annually, no longer adequately covers the rising costs of school operations. KESSHA argues that the capitation amount has not kept pace with inflation or the increasing cost of essential commodities, leaving schools to accumulate significant debts.
In light of these challenges, KESSHA is proposing a revision of school fees across all categories of secondary schools, which could effectively end the Free Day Secondary Education (FDSE) program. The proposal highlights the discrepancy between the daily cost of educating a student and the government’s current contribution. According to the proposal, the existing funding is insufficient to cover the actual cost of keeping a student in school, forcing institutions to rely on additional fees from parents.
The document submitted by KESSHA outlines the financial pressures schools face, including the rising cost of materials, utilities, and other essential services. While the government’s capitation grant was intended to alleviate the financial burden on parents, the association argues that it has fallen short in meeting the realities of running a modern secondary school.
This call for a fee increase has sparked debates on the future of the FDSE program, which has been a cornerstone of Kenya’s education policy. While the program aimed to provide free education to all students, the rising costs are putting pressure on the system, leading to calls for reform and adjustments to the current funding model.
As the Ministry of Education considers the proposal, parents and education stakeholders will be watching closely, as any changes to school fees will have a direct impact on families across the country.