A crisis is looming one week before schools reopen after headteachers recommended an increase in school fees of Ksh8,000 to accommodate the high cost of living in learning institutions.
On Wednesday, April 20th, during an interview on Citizen TV Indimuli Kahi, head of the Kenya Secondary Heads Association (KSSHA), said the recommendations were being addressed at the current principals’ conference in Mombasa and that the conclusions would be made public.
He explained that the last time school fees were revised was in 2014, and that since then, the cost of living has risen dramatically.
Indimuli claimed that administrators were struggling to meet pupils’ fundamental needs, citing an increase in spending due to rising food prices as the cause.
“We’re putting together our suggestions and soliciting input from stakeholders.” It’s been eight years since the fees were raised, and we’re all aware that inflation has risen since then.” We buy from the same market as the schools, and we pay the same electrical cost as well. Workers with annual salary increases must also be compensated. He explained, “It’s past time for a review.”
Fees for boarding institutions were set at Ksh53,553 in the 2014 revision by the Ministry of Education.
Nicholas Maiyo, the chairperson of the Kenya National Parents Association (KNPA), warned that students will be the most affected as parents battle to make ends meet.
He did, however, mention that schools were having financial difficulties, and that the government should boost student capitation.
“Even if the increase is only by Ksh1, no parent will accept. The reason for this is that many parents are going through a difficult time. If the costs are raised, parents would be forced to remove their children from boarding schools “Maiyo said.
The school leaders’ proposal comes just two months after the Kenya Publishers Association (KPA) indicated that textbook costs would rise due to a shortage of materials such as printing paper.
Because the economic environment has changed, we have no choice but to raise our pricing,” said Lawrence Njagi, the KPA chairperson.
