An investigation by the Ministry of Education has found that Alliance Girls High School spent millions of shillings on non‑essential items, resulting in an unauthorized increase in school fees for the 2026 academic year.
The report by the Quality Assurance and Standards Directorate (QASD), dated April 28, reviewed the school’s 2026 budget and found that several expenditures did not comply with government guidelines on the use of public education funds.
In addition, the probe found that the spending was used to support a fee structure that more than doubled the amount approved by the Ministry of Education.
Alliance Girls Spending Flagged as Non‑Essential by Ministry Investigators
QASD classified several budget items as “non‑essential and unrealistic,” saying that they did not qualify as core teaching or student welfare costs under approved secondary school fee guidelines.
For instance, Alliance Girls allocated KSh 1.1 million to moral and spiritual activities, and while acknowledging that schools may support pastoral programs, investigators said the amount was high and that it lacked a clear breakdown of how the funds would be used.
Another KSh 16 million was set aside for annual trips. The report found that these funds were largely intended for staff travel and retreats, which the ministry said cannot be charged to parents through school fees.
The budget also included KSh 13 million for prize-giving ceremonies and speeches, with QASD saying the amount was disproportionate to the academic value of such events and was approved without clear cost controls.
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A further KSh 5 million was allocated for prize vouchers, sweets, and examiners’ costs. The report questioned the need for repeated spending on consumables and incentives, arguing that they should not impose an additional financial burden on parents.
In addition, KSh 3 million was set aside for airtime, administrative allowances, and the investigators. These are routine operational costs that should be covered within existing administrative budgets rather than through increased fees.
The QASD concluded that the expenditures were not properly justified under government policy and failed to meet cost‑containment requirements for national schools.
Dubai Trip Approval Linked to Sharp Fee Hike
QASD paid particular attention to a five‑day staff trip to Dubai costing KSh 25 million, which was approved by the school’s Board of Management at a meeting held on October 16, 2025.
Minutes reviewed by QASD show that the board approved the trip despite a KSh 13 million funding gap, directing school management to find ways to cover the shortfall.
Based on the approved budget, the Alliance Girls charged KSh 120,179 per student for the 2026 academic year, compared with the government‑approved fee limit of KSh 53,558.
Parents complained to the ministry following the increase, prompting the deployment of QASD officers to conduct an on‑site assessment at Alliance Girls.
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Ministry Orders Action Over Unauthorized Spending and Fees
Following the investigation, Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Ogamba, in letters dated April 29, 2026, recommended disciplinary action against Principal Margaret Njeru and the dissolution of the Alliance Girls Board of Management.
In a letter to the Teachers Service Commission Acting CEO Evaleen Mitei, the Cabinet Secretary said the fee structure was introduced without the required approval.
“The unauthorized fees structure was imposed without the approval of the Cabinet Secretary as by law required and is therefore contrary to Section 29(2)(b) of the Basic Education Act, 2013,” he wrote.
In a separate letter to Central Region Director of Education Sabina Aroni, CS Ogamba cited the approval of the Dubai trip as evidence that the Board of Management failed in its oversight role.
The ministry said the principal oversaw the implementation of the unlawful fee structure, while the board approved spending decisions that placed an unnecessary financial burden on parents.
The report has been forwarded to the County Education Board for further administrative action. The ministry has assured parents that steps are being taken to protect them from illegal levies.
If the findings are upheld, the Teachers Service Commission may take disciplinary action against the principal, including possible interdiction or dismissal.
