With schools set to reopen in less than a week, uncertainty continues to grow over the fee structure for day secondary school learners, following conflicting statements from the Ministry of Education and Kiharu Member of Parliament Ndindi Nyoro.
Nyoro has raised alarm over government guidelines for the implementation of senior school education, which he says were issued to school principals in November. According to the lawmaker, the guidelines reference an outdated Gazette Notice and are directing principals to revise fee structures in a way that shifts additional costs to parents.
He claims the new guidance reduces government capitation from Ksh.22,244 to Ksh.12,000 per learner annually, leaving parents to cover a shortfall of Ksh.9,374.
“It is alarming to see that the government unashamedly directs principals of day secondary schools that capitation from January will be Ksh.12,000 from the Ksh.22,244 that has been there before, and directing that the burden of Ksh.9,374 will now be shouldered by parents,” Nyoro said.
The MP blamed the confusion on the Ministry’s failure to issue clear and updated instructions, leaving school administrators to rely on the attached Gazette Notice when preparing new fee structures.
Ministry of Education Insists Fees Remain Unchanged
In response, Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Ogamba dismissed claims of increased fees, insisting that the current fee structure remains unchanged and is still guided by the 2019 circular.
Speaking on phone, CS Ogamba said the government will continue supporting Free Day Senior School learners with Ksh.22,244 per student per year, directly contradicting assertions that parents will be required to pay more.
The Ministry reaffirmed its position in an official statement, noting that approved fee caps remain in force. According to the framework, boarding schools in major urban centres charge up to Ksh.53,554, other boarding schools charge up to Ksh.40,535, while Special Needs Schools charge up to Ksh.12,790.
“These amounts have remained unchanged, and no school is permitted to exceed them,” the statement read.
To address growing speculation, CS Ogamba announced that the Ministry will issue a fresh circular by Friday to provide clarity and ensure uniform interpretation of government policy.
“In order to put this matter to rest, we are going to issue another circular by this Friday to ensure clean alignment and eliminate speculation on whether school fees have been raised or not,” Ogamba said.
Concerns Raised Over Teacher Recruitment Delays
Beyond the fee debate, Nyoro also criticized delays in the absorption of Junior Secondary School (JSS) intern teachers, accusing the government of backtracking on its own recruitment commitments.
He further called on the Teachers Service Commission (TSC) to rescind renewal letters and instead offer affected teachers permanent and pensionable terms.
“The argument that there is no money to confirm them is an incompetent answer to our brothers and sisters who are serving this country,” Nyoro stated.
Former Education Cabinet Secretary and Jubilee Deputy Party Leader Dr. Fred Matiang’i also weighed in, terming the delay in teacher recruitment a question of misplaced priorities.
“Can’t we make sacrifices from the excesses we are seeing and redirect those resources to support our children?” Matiang’i posed.
As parents, teachers, and school administrators await the promised circular, pressure is mounting on the Ministry of Education to provide definitive clarity on school fees and staffing just days before schools reopen.
