Introduction

School heads,both headteachers and principals charging illegal levies among other things from parents or guardians will have tough times going forward.

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This is after the Ministry of Education now seeks to stamp authority on the violation of outlawed practices from and long years of non compliance from these heads.

Ministry of Education on School heads

According to the Education Cabinet Secretary Ezekiel Machogu-the ministry has embarked on a journey aimed at curbing widespread abuses in the country’s basic education system.

Some of the notorious abuses of the basic education include;

• illegal charging of tuition fees
• forcing students to repeat classes
• conducting admission examinations for new students
• Schools engaging in physical or psychological punishment of learners

These details are contained in the proposed changes which are outlined in the Basic Education Bill of 2024.

Several teachers have however praised the the bill welcoming it’s impact on school finances and teacher accountability.

As contained in this proposed Bill, strict penalties which include fines of up to Sh20 million for teachers, administrators or managers who violate set regulations have been set.

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In addition, this proposed legislation will see the school head teachers held personally liable for offenses such as charging tuition fees.

Those conducting entrance exams for new students, those forcing students to repeat classes.

Equally, this Bill provides that there should be no child that shall be denied access to education due to unpaid fees.

The proposed law further provides that head teachers will be held liable to imprisonment of up to three years for those found charging tuition fees or a get subjected fine of Sh1 million.

Conclusion

Incase this bill is approved inti a law, several Head teachers could also find themselves in trouble for offering school admission tests more especially to new learners as well as forcing students to repeat a class.

As a result , those who want to remain safe should ensure that no child shall be barred from attending school because of failure to pay extra levies.