CS Machogu responds to claims of fee increment, as exams start

By Peter Ochieng

Cabinet Secretary (CS) for education Ezekiel Machogu on Monday responded to claims of the government's planned fee increment at the secondary school level.

Speaking at Kikuyu Township Primary School in Kiambu County, the CS dismissed the allegations, noting that they have no basis.

"Also to assure Kenyans that your government is not increasing the fees when they go to form one, and all of them who are here are going to be placed in form one," Machogu said.

He said the fee will remain as it currently is, until further notice.

"It is Sh53,000 for national schools and extra-county schools and Sh45,000 for county schools and it is going to remain as such."

Various leaders had already reacted over reports of government's planned fee increment, with Head of Anglican Church, Archbishop Jackson Ole Sapit warning against such a move.

He said many parents are facing economic hardships, insisting that any level of fee increment will disadvantage learners from poor backgrounds.

Meanwhile, the Kenya Certificate of Primary Education (KCPE) and Kenya Primary School Education Assessment (KPSEA) exams are ongoing smoothly in several parts of the country.

Class eight and grade six candidates started the exams on Monday morning. President William Ruto distributed exam papers to some candidates at the Kikuyu Township Primary School.

This year's KCPE is the last under the 8-4-4 curriculum, before the country fully embraces the Competence Based Curriculum (CBC).

Education Principal Secretary (PS) Belio Kipsang asured all candidates that all is well, indicating that all registered candidates have to sit for the exams.

“This is our last KCPE and we will not want any child to be disadvantaged. We have directed all officers to ensure all children sit for their exams,” said Kipsang.

Over 2 million candidates are sitting for the two examinations.