Kangema: Thousands of parents in Kangema Constituency have a reason to smile after a major reduction in school fees for day secondary school students, a move expected to ease financial pressure and improve access to education.
According to Kenya News Agency, beginning second term, learners in day secondary schools across the constituency will pay only Sh. 1,000 per term under a subsidized programme spearheaded by the local National Government Constituencies Development Fund (NG-CDF). The initiative, dubbed ‘Tuition Subsidy and Student Retention Programme’, is set to benefit more than 4,000 students drawn from 20-day secondary schools within Kangema Sub-County.
Kangema MP, Peter Kihungi, lauded the programme, describing it as a timely intervention that will significantly reduce the burden on parents who have long struggled to meet school fee requirements. ‘This programme is a result of wide consultations between headteachers of the schools and other stakeholders. We wanted a solution that works for our community,’ said Kihungi during a meeting with school heads held at Kangema Social Hall.
A key component of the initiative is the introduction of a feeding programme in the schools, which will be fully funded by NG-CDF. According to the MP, this intervention has made it possible to lower school fees while ensuring that learners remain in school throughout the day. He assured stakeholders that funds for the programme have already been set aside and that implementation will begin in the second term.
School administrators will oversee the feeding programme, with Kihungi urging them to manage the resources responsibly to ensure sustainability. The NG-CDF has already signed an agreement with school administrators to formalize the subsidized fees structure, a process witnessed by the local Deputy County Commissioner.
Kihungi expressed optimism that the programme will not only keep learners in school but also improve academic performance in the constituency. He noted that Kangema has not been performing well in national examinations and emphasized that the initiative is part of broader efforts to raise education standards. ‘We want to see more students staying in school, completing their education and performing better. This is a step in the right direction,’ he added.
The MP also called on parents to play their role in maintaining discipline among learners, noting that a supportive home environment is crucial for academic success. He encouraged families struggling with the high cost of boarding schools to consider enrolling their children in day schools, which are now more affordable.
The programme has been welcomed by education stakeholders, with the Chairperson of the Kangema Sub-County Secondary Schools Heads Association, Joseph Wachira, terming it a major relief for parents. Wachira, who also serves as the Principal of Iyego Secondary School, highlighted the challenges that day schools often face, including inadequate facilities and delays in fee payments. He noted that reduced fees will allow students to spend more time in class, enabling teachers to complete the syllabus on time. ‘With fewer disruptions caused by fee arrears, both learners and teachers can now focus on academic work. This will definitely improve performance,’ he remarked.