In a landmark ruling, the High Court of Kenya has declared it illegal for public schools to impose school levies without prior approval from the Ministry of Education. The ruling, delivered on Monday, June 16, aims to protect parents from the burden of excessive and unauthorized charges often levied by public school administrations.
No More Unauthorized School Levies
According to the court, no school head or principal will be allowed to collect any form of school levies—whether for infrastructure development, lunch programs, extracurricular activities, exam fees, or remedial classes—unless they have official approval from Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Ogamba.
This decision comes after years of complaints from parents about excessive school levies that make public education less affordable, undermining the goal of free basic education in Kenya.
“No head of a public school shall charge any levies without the written approval of the Education CS. This measure will ensure equitable access to affordable public education for all children,” the court stated.
Ministry of Education’s Stand on School Levies
The Education Cabinet Secretary (CS), Julius Ogamba, had earlier warned school heads against introducing unauthorized levies. In his statement on May 20, Ogamba stressed that stern action would be taken against any public school found exploiting parents through illegal charges.
“School heads and principals are directed to ensure prudent use of public resources and to desist from imposing any unauthorized levies. We will deal firmly with verified cases of misappropriation and illegal charges,” Ogamba said.
Government Funding and Accountability
The Ministry of Education recently disbursed Ksh 22 billion in second-term capitation funds to all public primary and secondary schools. The CS emphasized that these funds are meant to cover operational costs and ensure that no additional charges are passed on to parents without ministry approval.
“The funds provided must be used solely for the benefit of learners. Any misuse of these resources will attract strict disciplinary action,” Ogamba warned.
Impact on Parents and Learners
This High Court ruling reinforces the government’s commitment to making free primary and secondary education a reality in Kenya. It protects parents from unexpected financial burdens and ensures that children from all backgrounds have equal access to quality education without discrimination based on ability to pay extra levies.
Conclusion
The ban on unauthorized school levies in Kenya marks a significant step towards strengthening accountability in public schools and protecting parents’ rights. Moving forward, school heads are expected to strictly follow Ministry guidelines, ensuring public education in Kenya remains affordable and inclusive.