A legal dispute has emerged as certain schools, including St. George’s Girls Secondary School in Nairobi, prevented students with overdue fees from returning to school after the half term.
One parent, represented by attorney Felix Mokaya, has escalated the issue to the High Court in Nairobi, seeking legal recourse.
The parent has lodged a lawsuit naming various parties, including the Basic Education Principal Secretary (PS), the school’s management board, the chief principal, Teachers Service Commission (TSC), and the Attorney General, as defendants.
The lawsuit contests a circular released by the school on 27 February 2024, instructing parents to settle their outstanding fees by 4 March 2024.
The parent alleges that the school has a recurring practice of refusing admission to students with unpaid fees, which includes unauthorized remedial and development charges. The plaintiff questions why parents, who already contribute taxes to support the school, are additionally burdened with development fees.
Attorney Mokaya demands clarification as to why his client’s child was denied admission on 10 January 2024, despite having paid school fees. The parent contends that this case speaks not only for the parents of St. George’s but also for parents nationwide facing similar challenges.
Moreover, the parent recollects instances where parents felt pressured to contribute towards dormitory completion and optional remedial classes, even though they were not obligatory. Parents were also coerced into paying illegal remedial charges per term, in line with the Ministry’s position.
This legal confrontation underscores the significance of transparency in fee structures and parents’ entitlement to challenge unauthorized fees. It encourages reflection on the financial burdens endured by parents and the necessity for equitable practices in education.
How do you think schools should manage outstanding fees to ensure fairness for all students? Have you encountered unauthorized fees at your child’s school, and if so, how did you address them? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
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By Newshub