Education stakeholders in Nakuru County have faulted Education Cabinet Secretary’s fees guideline that scrapped meal fees for day secondary schools arguing it will cause a crisis in education.
Even as parents applauded the move as a relief, teachers and lobby groups have argued that the government move of scrapping meals fees is catastrophic.
According to Moi Secondary Principal Stephen Karanja, the feeding programme remains critical in schools as it is a motivation for students to focus in their studies.
Karanja stated that public day secondary schools have lost as boarding schools gained on the meal fees matter.
“We will get it difficult in retaining students in schools if we do away with meals for them because it is not catered in the new school fees guideline,” he said.
According to the administrator, parents will be forced to dig deep into their pocket to cater for the feeding programme.
“We appeal to the government to rescind the decision and also provide relief food to schools in arid and semi-arid areas in order to retain students in schools,” he said.
Elizaphan Kimuya a parent from Subukia Sub -County commended the government in its bid to offer subsidised school fees to Kenyan parents. She however said scrapping meal fees was wrong.
“The move will see some school administrators charging extra money in the name of facilitating feeding programme which will translate to increased school fees contrary to government expectations,” Kimuya said.
Education Cabinet Secretary Jacob Kaimenyi issued a fees guideline for public secondary schools starting February 2015 where day school fees stands at Sh 9,374 while boarding at Sh 53,553.