Education CS Julius Ogamba has issued a stern warning to school heads across the country, stating that they will be held personally liable if they send learners home over unauthorized levies. The warning comes as schools reopened for the third term, a critical period with national exams and assessments on the horizon.
Ogamba emphasized that the government has already disbursed KSh 28.1 billion to public primary, junior, and secondary schools to ensure smooth operations. “We therefore do not expect that any child will be sent away from school for unauthorized levies. Our field officers are under firm instructions to report any such cases to my office for immediate action,” he said.
The Education CS made it clear that any teacher who violates this directive will bear individual and personal responsibility. “Any school teacher who sends away a learner for unauthorized levies will bear individual and personal responsibility,” Ogamba warned.
Speaking at Lenana School Primary in Kajiado County during an assessment of school reopening in Nairobi, Machakos, and Kajiado counties, Ogamba also addressed the issue of withholding examination certificates due to unpaid fees
. He reminded school heads that the constitution guarantees every Kenyan child free and compulsory basic education and urged them to find alternative ways to recover outstanding fees without hindering students’ progression.
“Certificates are the right of every student who sits in national examinations,” Ogamba stated. “School heads should not withhold examination certificates from candidates due to unpaid school fees.”
Ogamba confirmed that the KSh 28.1 billion capitation has been wired to the respective schools’ bank accounts and urged school managers to utilize the funds prudently. He warned against any misuse or misappropriation of these public funds, which are meant for the benefit of learners.
“As the responsible ministry, we are keen on ensuring that every cent disbursed to schools is accounted for. We will not hesitate to take swift action should any case of misappropriation be established,” said Ogamba
