Fees Directive ‘Unworkable’, Says KNUT

The guidelines issued by Education Cabinet Secretary Prof. Jacob Kaimenyi has attracted tough opposition from KNUT that has termed the proposed formular and guidelines as 'unworkable'.

KNUT Secretary General Wilson Sossion says schools have already procured supplies based on annual fees and budgets approved last year and scaling down funds would result in schools being drawn to civil litigations.

Sossion now wants Kaimenyi to revoke the directive arguing that it was made due to pressure from politicians and the civil society.

He argues that the directive will plunge schools into management crises.

The union also wants the Education CS to first address teachers' shortage, infrastructure and alternative funding concerns before effecting the new fee directive as well as convene a stakeholders meeting to reach an agreement.

MAXIMUM AMOUNT

The directive by the Ministry of Education lowered school fees for public day and secondary schools to Ksh 9,374 and Ksh 53,553 per year respectively. Special schools were directed to pay a maximum of Ksh 37,210 per year.

The amount is less the government levy fee, which is Ksh 12,870 under the Free Day Secondary Programme for regular schools and Ksh 37,210 for special needs schools.

The fee, however, is 31 per cent higher than the amount recommended by the Kilemi Mwiria Taskforce.

Kaimenyi had said that the new fee structure takes cognizance of the fact that teacher redistribution and employment, rationalisation of non-teaching staff, merging of uneconomical schools and implementation of the proposed of subsidies are yet to be effected.

The guideline provides that the fees will be paid in three phases: 50 per cent of the total amount is to be paid during the first term while 30 and 20 per cent will be remitted in the second and third terms respectively.

By Maureen Murimi