Boarding School Fees Will Remain Unchanged In 2024, Ezekiel Machogu Announces

• Education Cabinet Secretary Ezekiel Machogu announced that boarding fees in public secondary schools would remain unchanged
• Machogu stated that any fee increase would require exclusive approval from his office, arguing that the government is aware of parents’ financial struggles
• The CS tasked county and regional education directors to ensure no additional fees were levied, adding that he would get information about an illegal increase

Didacus Malowa, a journalist at TUKO.co.ke, brings over three years of experience covering politics and current affairs in Kenya.

Nairobi - Education Cabinet Secretary Ezekiel Machogu has stated that boarding fees charged in public secondary schools will remain unchanged.

During the announcement of the placement of the 2023 Kenya Certificate of Primary Education (KCPE) candidates in secondary schools on Monday, December 18, at Lenana School, Machogu stated boarding fees in public secondary schools would remain unchanged next year.

The CS stated that any increase would need exclusive approval from his office, adding that any illegal increase would be known.

"If any monkey business is done anywhere, the information will come out. So kindly ensure that each and every school. Unless there is express approval from my office which again is not going to be there, no fee increase should happen. I wish to state that the boarding fees charged in public secondary schools will remain unchanged in 2024," Machogu stated.

Why Machogu is against an increase

The CS explained that the government knew that parents were surviving under challenging times, but there is a need to ensure everybody gets access to education.

"We've said education should be accessible to us all including the children who come from the poor background," he stated.

Machogu tasked county and regional education directors to ensure compliance, adding that he said he would take quick action if any case is reported.

"Your main responsibility is to ensure that no principal levies any additional fee. I have eyes and ears everywhere," he added.

Heartbreak for overage learners

Earlier, Machogu announced that 2023 overage KCPE candidates would not be allowed to further their studies in public secondary schools.

He said the learners have been forwarded to the Directorate of Adult and Continuing Education for placement.

"However, all over-age learners have been forwarded to the Directorate of Adult and Continuing Education for placement in adult and continuing education institutions," he said.

Machogu reiterated that all 1.4 million students would transition to secondary schools, as there is no room for a repeat of Class Eight.