Kikuyu Member of Parliament (MP) Kimani Ichungwa has asked Education Cabinet Secretary (CS) Fred Matiang’i to take action against school heads demanding exorbitant fees.
Speaking to journalists after inspecting development projects in Kikuyu Town on Monday, Ichungwa said that the government must protect parents from ‘greedy’ head teachers and administrators.
Ichungwa noted that some public secondary schools were charging high fees, a move he said has denied many bright students access to education.
“The government must address the issue of school fees in public schools once and for all and save parents from agony,” he said.
The Kikuyu lawmaker noted that many parents suffer in silence while they are charged high school fees.
He stated that access to education in the country will remain a preserve for the rich if the government does not address the key issues facing the sector.
A section of parents in several schools across the country have complained over the high school fees being demanded by head teachers as schools re-opened.
The parents want the government to set clear guidelines on school fees in public secondary schools.
The Kenya National Parents Association (KNPA) on Monday asked the government to move with speed and issue clear school fees guidelines.
The association through its secretary general Musau Ndunda, asked the government to stop the talk and deal with schools flouting school fees guidelines.
While releasing 2015 KCPE results last week at Mithani House, Education CS said that the government will issue new guidelines on Tuesday after meeting with representatives in the education sector.