Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Ogamba has reaffirmed that the boarding fee for Public Secondary Schools/Senior schools has not been hiked, as is being believed by a section of the public.
Ogamba said the fee structure remains as stipulated in the Kenya Gazette of 2015, which is still in operation as Sh22,000 annually and not Sh53,000, as reported and that it was a misunderstanding of the new education guidelines.
“The fee structure and the amount of capitation have not changed. We are still paying Sh 1,500 for Primary schools, Sh 15,000 for Junior Secondary and Sh 22,240 annually for Senior schools; it was just a misunderstanding of the new guidelines,” said the CS.
He was speaking at the Machakos Sub-county education offices while overseeing the opening of the Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) examination containers for Chemistry Practicals that were to be distributed to various secondary schools in Machakos Sub-county.
Ogamba underscored the national significance of the KCSE examinations that have seen more than 900,000 learners across the country sitting in for the exams.
He added that it has reached an advanced stage, especially for those sitting for the chemistry practical, which requires precision and adherence to procedure.
He noted that the majority of examination centres in the country have maintained excellent standards without any hitches during the exam period; however, he disclosed that there are 19 isolated cases of suspected malpractice in the Nyanza, Rift Valley and Eastern regions.
CS said that decisive action has been taken, such as the replacement of Centre managers, Supervisors and invigilators.
Mobile phones and photocopied materials found have been seized as well as the persecution of over 22 people by the DCI for impersonation and early exposure, resulting in several Centres receiving formal Kenya National Examinations Council (KNEC) warning letters.
“The government maintains a Policy of zero tolerance, and all reported exam breaches will remain under active multi-agency investigation, and appropriate sanctions will be enforced, including result cancellation and centre de-registration in accordance with the KNEC Act,” declared Ogamba.
The CS emphasised the need for National Examinations to retain their credibility and international recognition, where the KCSE Certificate must continue to signify genuine achievement and readiness for post-secondary pathways.
“We urge the public to remain alert and supportive and report any suspicious activity to the authorities, while upholding integrity, as the government is fully committed to delivering secure and credible examinations and will remain vigilant until the last paper is completed,” emphasised Ogamba.
He later went to Mumbuni Girls Secondary School to oversee the issuing of the KCSE Chemistry Practical papers.
By Anne Kangero
