Relief for parents as court Bans Hidden School Charges.

In a decision that champions the rights of parents and guardians, the High Court in Nairobi has ruled against the imposition of extra levies by public schools, deeming them unconstitutional and burdensome

Justice David Mwaure, in his ruling has emphasized that all public primary and secondary schools must strictly adhere to the fee guidelines set by the Ministry of Education and any additional charges beyond the approved fees are deemed illegal and must be refunded or canceled.

The charges include; charges on admissions, stationaries lockers, laboratory use , examinations and extra curriculum fees and also replacement for the lost books.

The case was brought forth by a group of concerned parents, supported by civil rights organizations, who argued that unauthorized payments such as remedial fees, development funds, and lunch fees were discriminatory and excluded students from less privileged backgrounds.

The Ministry of Education has acknowledged the prevalence of such illegal charges and has pledged to ensure compliance through county education boards and school audits.

Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Ogamba welcomed the ruling as a step towards providing affordable and equitable education for all children.

The decision now requires headteachers and Boards of Management to seek approval from the Cabinet Secretary before introducing any additional charges, such as those for classroom renovations or teacher allowances.

Stakeholders in the education sector have praised the ruling, with the Kenya National Union of Teachers urging schools to prioritize transparency and fairness.

This ruling is expected to bring relief to families struggling with the high cost of education and may lead to stricter regulation of school finances in the future. Parents are encouraged to report any schools still demanding extra levies to the Ministry's toll-free helpline or the Directorate of Quality Assurance.