A number of KCSE candidates default on school fees.
Days after schools opened for the third term of the 2022 academic year, thousands of students across the country were sent home to collect school fees.
School resumed last week after a week’s break. However, some students who report and fail to pay tuition fees are sent home to pay tuition fees.
Many parents say that some school leaders ignore their financial problems in a difficult economic environment where they charge full tuition fees. They said this was contrary to the directives of the previous government through the Ministry of Education.
Research by educationhighlights.co.ke has shown that day schools and boarding schools have an impact.
One of the parents we spoke to revealed that two children from Sirihaya High School and another from Lwanya Girls High School were sent home to collect school fees.
On the day of the report, Sane Girls High School in Tana River District sent home all the students with balance.
Another principal said that no disproportionate number of students would be allowed to attend the school as students struggle without funds to meet the basic requirements to stay in school.
However, some principals do not send students home for tuition fees, fearing the wrath of the government.
Principals have accused parents of using the directive not to submit students’ homework for profit, with some choosing not to pay tuition at all.
According to the Principal Secretary of Early Education and Basic Education Julius Jwan, the free secondary school capital fund has been released by the government but it has not reached the school as it is now.
KNUT branch executive secretary Njeru Mutani said keeping students in school without adequate food could lead to student unrest.
KCSE aspirants will still miss a lot, while others revise carefully to prepare for the upcoming exams.