The Ministry of education has issued fresh directives to parents and guardians of learners in national schools as part of ensuring a swift transition to a new fee payment process introduced by the government.
In a circular addressed to all National School’s principals, the ministry noted that all fee payments will be paid directly through the e-citizen platform from now henceforth.
“The directorate of e-citizen in partnership with Information Communication Technology Authority (ICTA), Ministry of information, communication and the digital economy and the National Treasury have been coordinating the onboarding of all government services onto the e- citizen platform to enhance service delivery,” read part of the letter.
In preparation of the launch, the principals were directed to ensure that all parents from their institutions provide their bank accounts details in a listed format.
Among the details required for submission include the bank account name, account number, code and branch code.
Additionally, the ministry noted that the details should be submitted to the office of the director general, state department for basic education not later than February 6th, 2024.
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“As part of compliance with the requirements it is directed that parents/guardians make fee payments for their learners in your institutions through this platform,” the letter added.
E-Citizen
The introduction of school fee payment through the e-Citizen platform is part of the government’s plan to increase collection of revenue.
Earlier in June 2023, the government made a groundbreaking move by launching the eCitizen Portal, a digital initiative that promised to redefine public service delivery.
President William Ruto spearheaded this visionary project, aiming to digitize government services and make them easily accessible to Kenyans.
This came following his directive to have all Government services available on the platform.
“We have sorted out all the challenges we had with eCitizen; by the end of next year, all 5,000 government services will be available on a digital platform.
This is part of the program to ensure we are in a position to collect all taxes due to government,” Ruto announced in December 2022.
According to the Head of State, the goal was to streamline processes, foster transparency, minimize corruption, and enhance efficiency.
Under President Ruto’s leadership, 10,513 government services had been made available on the Portal by close of business on Wednesday, 4th October 2023.
The head of state’s vision for the platform was clear, to collect a targeted Ksh3.2 trillion in annual government revenue.
According to the Office of the President, the platform saw a staggering total revenue of Ksh.4,168,704,016 collected in September 2023, this being a growth of over 300% from Ksh.1,397,301,980 in June 2023.
“Further, the revenue collected on the eCitizen platform in July and August 2023 was Ksh.2,320,210,423 and Ksh.3,590,051,462 respectively,” read part of the statement.
Unauthorized levies in schools
Also, the Ministry of Education has addressed cases of charging unauthorized levies by public schools in the country.
In a February 2, 2024, letter addressed to all County and Regional directors of education, the Ministry issued a stern warning to public schools charging unauthorized levied.
According to the letter, the constitution of Kenya 2010 mandates the Cabinet Secretary to implement free and compulsory basic education for all Kenyan children of school going age.
“However, this is negated by public schools including primary schools, junior schools and secondary schools that are reported to be charging parents unauthorized levies, “read part of the letter.
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The Ministry further provided new directives to address the charging of unauthorized levies by public schools.
Other directives
First, regional, county and sub county directors of education have been directed to bring to the attention of the principal secretary any school principal, board of management and head teachers charging unauthorized levies.
All secondary schools that have been charging the fees were directed to cease forthwith from directing parents to pay any charges outside the authorized fees guidelines.
“Primary and junior schools are predominantly day schools and the ministry caters for the requisite tuition requirements through capitation.
For avoidance of doubt no fees will be charged by public primary and junior schools,” the Ministry said.
Also, the circular noted that the ministry issued a circular banning schools from selling or stocking uniforms and boarding items, which all schools must comply.
On the other hand, all secondary schools have been directed to adhere and comply with authorized fee’s structure.
The structure includes fee payable in the spread ratio of 50% 30% and 20% in 1st, 2nd, and 3rd terms respectively.
Additionally, all schools are required to fill fees declaration form and countersigned by sub-county director of education in the format attached.
The ministry further noted that every sub- county and county director of education will be held liable for any breach within their area of jurisdiction.
They are required to utilize a multi-agency approach to ensure adherence to the authorized fees structure and implementation of free and compulsory basic education.
