Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Ogamba has issued a firm warning to school principals who impose illegal charges on parents during student admissions, directing affected families to report such cases to the police or education offices for immediate action.
Speaking on Tuesday, January 20, during an interview on Capital FM, Ogamba said the government had deliberately digitised the school admission process to seal corruption loopholes that have long burdened parents.
“We are using KEMIS to admit students to schools so that we can remove some admission requirements from teachers. Some school principals demand bribes so that you can get a spot in a school,” Ogamba said.
The CS urged parents and learners not to remain silent when asked to pay extra money, describing such demands as illegal and exploitative.
“It is something we have repeatedly told parents — if a principal asks you for that kind of money, report it. Go to the nearest police station or inform our education officers at the sub-county or county level so that action can be taken,” he directed.
Ogamba stressed that the government already meets its funding obligations to public schools through capitation and that parents should not be subjected to unnecessary financial pressure.
“The government is paying its portion of the money. Extra levies are not supposed to be charged on parents. This has been gazetted, and principals are fully aware that such charges are illegal and irregular,” he said.
However, he clarified that schools are allowed to collect additional funds only under strict conditions. Any extra charges must first be agreed upon by parents during an Annual General Meeting (AGM) and then formally approved by the Ministry of Education.
“Principals can only charge with the consent of parents. After an AGM agrees on an extra fee, the school must still seek permission from the government before collecting any money,” Ogamba explained.
During the interview, the CS also dismissed claims that the government had reduced capitation for basic education. He said senior secondary schools currently receive KSh22,244 per learner, junior secondary schools KSh15,000, while primary schools receive KSh1,400.
Ogamba’s remarks come amid growing complaints from parents about rising education costs, particularly during school admissions, as the government seeks to enforce transparency and ease the financial burden on families.