About a week before the start of the second term, the government is now urging owners of private educational institutions to reduce school fees.
Education Cabinet Secretary Ezekiel Machogu criticized the high cost of private schools, urging their owners to lower fees to enable more students to access quality education.
Private primary schools charge fees ranging from Sh15,000 to Sh100,000 and beyond.
Children in these schools, unlike their peers in public schools who don’t pay tuition fees, enjoy quality education, foreign languages, and extra-curricular activities such as swimming, among other sports.
Mr. Machogu mentioned the Kenya Private Schools Association as a valuable partner in the efforts to provide quality education to every child in Kenya.
He said that through open dialogue, collaboration, and seeking innovative solutions, they can create an educational ecosystem that is better, sustainable, and inclusive.
“That’s why I urge you to collaborate with the government to help reduce the operating costs of private schools and make quality education accessible to all,” said the minister in a speech read on his behalf by the Coastal Education Director, Lucas Kangongo.
The Chairman of the Kenya Private Schools Association (KPSA), Charles Ochome, said the stakeholders would work with the government to enhance education.
“We charge school fees based on operating costs. If the government can reduce operating costs, it will directly reduce school fees,” he said.
Speaking at the Annual General Meeting of the Kenya Private Schools Association (KPSA) on Friday, the Minister congratulated the stakeholders for providing quality education.
“It has greatly contributed to the many successes we have achieved in this sector. We recognize the need to address issues of efficiency, relevance, quality, accessibility, and equity,” said the minister.
He said the government has closely collaborated with the association to ensure the 100 percent transition policy from primary to secondary education is successful.
