PRESS STATEMENT
DO NOT DENY NEEDY
CHILDREN ADMISSION TO SCHOOL OVER FEES
The
Kenya Conference of Catholic Bishops - Commission for Education and Religious
Education is concerned by reports that bright children admitted to some National,
Extra – County and County Schools may not be able to take up their places
because their parents or guardians cannot afford to pay the high fees charged
by these schools.
The
situation has been complicated further by the extra levies imposed over and
above the stipulated fees structure. It is very sad that these high extra
charges will put the future of bright but needy children in jeopardy by denying
them Form One places in some of the best schools they were selected to.
It
is also inopportune that the Ministry of Education has come out in support of
secondary schools charging these high fees as reported in one of the local dailies (Daily Nation February 4th,
2014, page 9). This represents a total turnaround from its earlier
directives that had capped the fees to be charged in secondary schools
The
Basic Education Act Cap 28 (1) provides that “the Cabinet Secretary shall
implement the right of every child to free and compulsory education.”
In
line with this, we wish to state that the Ministry of Education:
·
Must clarify to the
public its position on secondary school fees charged.
·
Must ensure that children
who have been admitted to secondary school are not denied their place because of
their parent’s inability to pay schools fees.
·
Has an obligation to
ensure that National Schools are accessible to all children who merit
regardless of their social-economic status.
We
urge the Ministry to urgently convene a meeting with principals of secondary
schools and other stakeholders so as to work out a practical and affordable
fees structure that will not be a burden to parents and guardians.
Signed:
Rt. Rev. Maurice M. Makumba
Chairman- Kenya Conference of Catholic Bishops’ Commission
for Education & Religious Education
February 4, 2012
