Through the Ministry of Education, the Kenyan government has put on notice public secondary schools charging extra school fees.
In a circular released on Tuesday, Director of Secondary and Tertiary Education Paul Kibet said the ministry had received complaints from parents and the general public about the schools charging fees besides that which the government recommended.
Professor George Magoha-led ministry told the schools to refund fees collected above the revised guidelines or treat them as prepayment of fees for continuing students.
The national boarding schools is set at sh45054 (approximately $450) and county schools sh35,035 (about $350) per time, while days schools are free.
Kibe also ordered County and Sub County Directors of Education to report schools charging illegal fees immediately.
The ministry also barred schools from sending learners home for failing to clear fee arrears charged above that which the government has recommended.
“No child will be sent away for non-payment of such fees. Schools are ordered to display their fees structure prominently on their notice boards,” said Kibe.
Last week, when parents admitted their children to form one, many complained of schools charging money not indicated in the fee structures.
