TSC has taken disciplinary action against hundreds of secondary school heads for charging extra fees against a government directive. The school principals have already received letters to explain why action should not be taken against them for the conduct.
TSC CEO Nancy Macharia had cautioned the headteachers just before schools opened that those flouting fees guidelines would be punished. She said the commission was investigating some principals reported to have breached the fee guidelines.
The Education Ministry in a circular further outlawed schools from sending students home for failing to clear any extra arrears that exceed the set fees.
The recommended fees for national schools is set at Sh45,054, county schools at Sh35,035 while day schools are free.
“Any fees collected above the revised guidelines be refunded or treated as prepayment of fees for continuing students… No child will be sent away for non-payment of such fees,” the circular dated August 9 reads.
The circular notes that the ministry had received complaints on schools are charging illegal levies outside the guidelines.
The PS said any fees collected above the revised guidelines be refunded or treated as prepayment of fees for continuing students.
Kibet on behalf of the PS Julius Jwan further noted that any unreported cases of a school charging illegal levies will attract sanctions on the responsible officer.
The Ministry of Education further ordered county directors to report schools that are charging illegal fees with immediate effect.
This was after reports that some schools continue to charge fees outside the guidelines leading to dissatisfaction from the parents and guardians.
