Machakos: Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Ogamba has reaffirmed that the boarding fee for Public Secondary Schools/Senior schools has not been hiked, as is being believed by a section of the public.
According to Kenya News Agency, Ogamba stated that the fee structure remains as stipulated in the Kenya Gazette of 2015, which is still in operation as Sh22,000 annually and not Sh53,000, as reported. He clarified that the confusion arose from a misunderstanding of the new education guidelines. ‘The fee structure and the amount of capitation have not changed. We are still paying Sh 1,500 for Primary schools, Sh 15,000 for Junior Secondary and Sh 22,240 annually for Senior schools; it was just a misunderstanding of the new guidelines,’ said the CS.
Ogamba was speaking at the Machakos Sub-county education offices while overseeing the opening of the Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) examination containers for Chemistry Practicals, which were to be distributed to various secondary schools in Machakos Sub-county. He highlighted the national significance of the KCSE examinations, which involve more than 900,000 learners nationwide.
He added that the examinations have reached an advanced stage, particularly for those sitting for the chemistry practical, which requires precision and adherence to procedure. Ogamba mentioned that most examination centres have maintained excellent standards without any hitches during the exam period. However, he disclosed 19 isolated cases of suspected malpractice in the Nyanza, Rift Valley, and Eastern regions.
The CS stated that decisive actions have been taken, such as the replacement of Centre managers, Supervisors, and invigilators. Mobile phones and photocopied materials found have been seized, and over 22 people have been prosecuted by the DCI for impersonation and early exposure, resulting in several Centres receiving formal Kenya National Examinations Council (KNEC) warning letters.
‘The government maintains a Policy of zero tolerance, and all reported exam breaches will remain under active multi-agency investigation, and appropriate sanctions will be enforced, including result cancellation and centre de-registration in accordance with the KNEC Act,’ declared Ogamba. He stressed the importance of maintaining the credibility and international recognition of the KCSE Certificate, which must signify genuine achievement and readiness for post-secondary pathways.
‘We urge the public to remain alert and supportive and report any suspicious activity to the authorities, while upholding integrity, as the government is fully committed to delivering secure and credible examinations and will remain vigilant until the last paper is completed,’ emphasised Ogamba. He later visited Mumbuni Girls Secondary School to oversee the issuing of the KCSE Chemistry Practical papers.