The Ministry of Education has issued a warning to school administrators regarding the collection of unauthorized fees, as students prepare for the 2025 academic year.
Cabinet Secretary Julius Migos Ogamba emphasized that the government will not tolerate any efforts by school leaders to impose irregular charges on parents.
In an interview with the Star, the CS stated that field officers have been instructed to monitor compliance with this directive, following significant concerns raised by parents and requests from school heads for additional fees.
Ogamba indicated that officials from the Ministry of Education are to exercise increased vigilance to ensure that no unauthorized payments are requested from parents.
He reiterated that all heads of institutions must adhere to the ministry’s circular regarding fee structures, with education officials tasked with enforcing this requirement.
“The government is dedicated to ensuring that no parent is asked to pay for unauthorized levies as stipulated,” Ogamba remarked.
“The circular concerning fee payments must be followed by every head of institution.”
There has been a rising discontent among parents regarding instances where certain school heads are imposing extra levies that fall outside the established fee structures.
These additional charges include teacher incentives, funds for examination materials, budgetary support, and tuition fees, which contravene the regulations set forth by the Ministry of Education.
According to these regulations, any extra costs that parents are expected to cover must receive prior approval during parent meetings overseen by education ministry officials.
Subsequently, the boards of management are required to submit these proposals to the education ministry for review before any approval is granted.
However, numerous parents have expressed frustration that such proposals are often not presented during the annual parent meetings and are instead imposed arbitrarily at the start of the school year.
Ogamba also cautioned school heads against expelling students due to fee arrears, assuring that the government is making every effort to ensure timely disbursement of capitation funds to schools.
