Clarification on Senior Secondary School Fees
There have been recent reports suggesting that the Ministry of Education has revised the fees for senior secondary schools. According to these reports, the annual fee for students has been increased to KSh 53,544. However, the Education Cabinet Secretary, Julius Ogamba, has officially denied these claims.
In a statement released on Thursday, November 6, Ogamba addressed the concerns raised by parents and the general public. He emphasized that the Ministry’s guidelines, which set student fees at KSh 22,244, remain unchanged. “Our attention has been drawn to reports in sections of the media to the effect that boarding fees payable by learners in public senior schools have been revised upwards,” he stated.
Ogamba clarified that there has been no revision of boarding fees or any other fees payable by learners. The existing guidance from the Ministry on the amounts payable as boarding fees will continue to apply. This means that the current fee structure remains in place, and no new charges have been introduced.
The reports also mentioned that some schools in the country had already implemented the changes. However, Ogamba confirmed that this is not accurate. He urged all stakeholders to rely on official communications from the Ministry and to avoid spreading misinformation.
Another point highlighted in the reports was the removal of the categorisation of secondary schools. While this may be a topic of discussion among education officials, it has not been officially announced as part of the fee revision process. Ogamba did not elaborate further on this matter during his statement.
The confusion surrounding the fee increase comes at a time when junior secondary school students have just completed their Kenya Junior School Education Assessment. These students are now awaiting their results and preparing to transition into senior secondary education. The clarity provided by Ogamba is essential for parents and students who are planning for the upcoming academic year.
Key Points from the Statement
- The Education Cabinet Secretary, Julius Ogamba, has denied claims of an increase in senior secondary school fees.
- The Ministry of Education’s guidelines, which set student fees at KSh 22,244, remain unchanged.
- Parents, learners, and the general public are informed that there has been no revision of boarding fees or any other fees payable by learners.
- The prevailing guidance on the amounts payable as boarding fees will continue to apply.
- Reports suggesting that some schools have already implemented the changes are not accurate.
- The categorisation of secondary schools is a separate issue and has not been officially linked to the fee revision.
Ogamba’s statement serves as a reminder for all stakeholders to stay informed through official channels. As the academic year approaches, it is crucial for parents and students to have accurate information to make informed decisions about their education. Any future changes to the fee structure will be communicated through the appropriate channels.