Private schools urged to give parents flexible payment plan

The Kenya Private Schools Association has urged learning institutions to consider giving parents flexible payment plans for fees.

Also Read: CS Magoha announces reopening for Grade 4, Class 8 and Form 4 students

KPSA chief executive Peter Ndoro said this should be based on a case by case basis and not compromise access and provision of quality education in a safe and healthy environment.

“The general Kenyan economy has been depressed and majority of the economic sectors have been struggling which has consequently affected the parents taking their children to school,” he said in a statement.

Mr. Ndoro acknowledged that private schools in Kenya depend entirely on school fees paid for by parents when their children are in session and in school for all their operational support.

He further noted that KPSA is fully aware that this has been the biggest survival and sustainability challenge that private schools have collectively faced in recent history.

The KPSA boss however reiterated that it is not only private schools that have been facing challenges but parents as well.

He urged the government to expedite release of the Ksh. 7billion stimulus package that was pledged to private schools.

Private schools have also been advised against using online classes to disadvantage any learner.

“As guided by the association in May, 2020 online learning initiated by schools was to be treated as a separate programme/contract from the normal school term programmes/contracts and was to be an optional programme for the learners and their parents,” Mr. Ndoro added.

Sukari Presbyterian Academy in Nairobi recently informed parents that those who failed to enrol their children for online classes were considered to have withdrawn from the school.

A letter from the school said readmission would be subject to the child measuring to the standard of his or her class, availability of space and ability to meet financial obligations among other conditions.