Basic Education Principal Secretary Belio Kipsang has said Regional and County Directors of Education will be answerable to the Ministry over public schools charging parents extra levies.
Belio in a circular sent out to the Directors of Education on Friday, said that they ought to bring to his attention any School Principal, Board of Management, or Head Teacher charging unauthorised Levies.
"Every Sub-County Director and County Director of Education will be held liable for any breach within their area of jurisdiction," Belio said.
The PS said the Directors of Education should use a multi-agency approach to ensure adherence to the authorised fees structure and implementation of Free and Compulsory Basic Education.
He noted that all schools are required to fill fee declaration form and countersigned by the Sub-County Director of Education.
Belio said the completed fee declaration forms should be submitted to the Ministry Headquarters by February 9, 2024, in both hard and soft copies.
"Soft copies should be submitted via [email protected]. The sample format has been emailed to you," he told the Directors.
He noted that the Constitution of Kenya 2010, mandates the Cabinet Secretary to implement Free and Compulsory Basic Education for all Kenyan children of school going age.
Belio directed that all schools should cease forthwith from directing parents to pay any charges outside the authorised fees guidelines for secondary schools.
He said all Secondary schools must adhere to and comply with authorised fees structure under Kenya Gazette Notice No. 1555 of March 2015.
The fee is payable in the spread ratio of 50 per cent, 30 per cent and 20 per cent in 1st term, 2nd term and 3rd term respectively.
Further, Belio said the lunch program for day secondary schools is optional and no child should be denied schooling for failure to pay the same.
"Primary and Junior Schools are predominantly day schools and the Ministry caters for the requisite tuition requirements through Capitation; for the avoidance of doubt, no fees will be charged by Public Primary and Junior Schools," he said.
Additionally, Belio noted that the Ministry had banned schools from selling or stocking uniforms and boarding items, adding that all institutions must comply.