School heads have been warned that they will be held personally liable for sending learners home over unauthorised levies.
The warning comes as schools countrywide reopened for the third term ahead of a busy schedule where candidates are expected to sit national exams and assessments.
Education CS Julius Ogamba says the government has already disbursed Sh28.1 billion to schools for the smooth running of operations in all public primary, Junior and secondary schools.
“We therefore do not expect that any child will be sent away from school for unauthorised levies. Our field officers are under firm instructions to report any such cases to my office, for immediate action,” Ogamba said.
“Any school teacher who sends away a learner for unauthorised levies will bear individual and personal responsibility.”
The CS was speaking at Lenana School Primary in Kajiado county at the end of the school reopening assessment in Nairobi, Machakos, and Kajiado counties.
“In the same vein, school heads should not withhold examination certificates due to candidates on account of unpaid school fees. Certificates are the right of every student who sits in national examinations,” the CS warned.
He said the constitution guarantees every Kenyan child free and compulsory basic education, and as such, school heads should find other administrative ways of ensuring that students pay any fee balances without hindering their progression by withholding their certificates.
The CS confirmed that the Sh28.1 billion capitation has already been wired to the bank accounts of the respective schools and urged school managers to exercise prudent utilization of the funds.
He said the monies are public funds entrusted to them for the benefit of learners, and any acts of misuse or misappropriation will be dealt with accordingly.
“As the responsible ministry, we are keen on ensuring that every cent that is disbursed to schools is accounted for. We will not hesitate to take swift action should any case of misappropriation be established,” Ogamba said.
