Teachers demands vs Magoha directive has resulted to a school fee crisis.
The cabinet secretary for Education, Goerge Magoha had earlier issued a directive that, under no circumstances will a school send a student home because of school fees arrears.
However, the kenya union of post primary teachers (KUPPET) has urged the ministry of education to again look at the school fees structure. This brought up the controversy of teachers demands vs Magoha directive.
The kenya union of post primary teachers stated that despite Magoha, the cabinet secretary of education urging teachers not to send students home, some schools are unable to sustain the students fully.
Due to this, there’s has been a hike in the school fees structure. Hiking the school fees as some school administrators said, is to cater for the needs of the students and also maintain the schools.
Despite parents complaining of the current economic trend, school heads agreed to this directive in their board with parent representatives.
The head of KUPPET stated, “In light of current economic conditions, the government must urgently provide new guidelines on school fees to avoid any misunderstanding between stakeholders in education.”
Misori , the head of KUPPET supported the hike of fees with a defence the the current economic trend is pushing the school heads to a critical state.
Misori stated,”Prices of cereals, other foodstuffs and essentials like cooking oil have more than doubled over the last year alone. The prices have tripled since the government last set the school fees.”
School fees concerns has been an issue the last few days after resumption of studies. Parents were suggesting that due to the hike, the ministry of education should extend the school calendar or refund back the fee.
However, Magoha turned down the suggestion. He told the parents that children are so resilient and they tend to bounce back immediately.
Magoha further said,”those that think the term will be short, we wait and cross the bridge when we get there.”