A teacher’s union has expressed concern over the government’s decision to slash the budget of the Kenya National Examination Council (Knec).

The Kenya Union of Post-Primary Education Teachers (Kuppet) officials stressed the urgent need for the government to address budget cuts to prevent disruption to the national examination process and safeguard the future of the country’s education system.

The union’s acting Secretary General Moses Nthurima warned that budget cuts will severely hinder the council’s ability to deliver credible examinations scheduled for three months from now.

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“The union is deeply concerned by the massive reduction of the budget for the Kenya National Examination Council. The Council’s budget has been cut to zero,” Nthurima said.

This announcement follows a circular issued on July 5 by the Treasury Cabinet Secretary Njuguna Ndung’u, which listed 24 areas affected by budget cuts due to the rejection of the Finance Bill 2024. Among these cuts is a 100 per cent reduction in examination and invigilation fees.

The circular explained the implications of this decision:

“This created a financing gap of a similar amount and implies that funding of expenditures to the tune of Sh344.3 billion is not tenable. In line with Article 223 of the Constitution and Section 44 of the PFMA, Cap 412A, the financing gap will necessitate revision of the budget estimates for the FY 2024/25. The changes will be regularized in the context of the FY 2024/25 Supplementary Estimates No. 1.”

Previously, Knec had been allocated Sh5 billion as an exam waiver fee in the rejected Finance Bill.

Nthurima expressed concern that the lack of funding for national examinations might force parents to bear the costs.

“With only three months left before the examinations begin, this means there be no national examinations this year unless parents agree to foot the costs,” he said.

He questioned whether the government intends to privatise the administration and marking of exams or switch to online exams due to the lack of budget.

Nthurima emphasized the critical role of examinations in the education system, calling on the Ministry of Education and the government to reinstate the budget to ensure teachers do not have to work without compensationBottom of Form

“We are asking the Ministry of Education and the government to reinstate the budget because teachers are not ready to offer services for free and we have been offering services for free,” he said.

Since 2016, the government has covered examination fees for all candidates in public and private schools to ensure no learner is excluded from taking national exams.

Kuppet Chairman Omboko Milemba warned that the budget cuts could lead to a crisis and increase anxiety nationwide.

“With austerity measures spoken about, and having realised there is no budget to the Knec, it means that the council could either be forced not to administer exams for lack of a budget, or to surcharge the parents like they used to do before,” he said.

He noted that paying examination fees and invigilation costs has enabled higher school enrollment and that the government should not backtrack on these gains.

Milemba, who is also the Emuhaya MP, expressed disappointment that the budget cuts were not communicated earlier saying that Knec has been operating on a static Sh5 billion budget despite rising candidature and operational costs.

“We cannot take the steps back on the gains we obtained over the years where education is now paid for, but also exams paid for,” he said.

“As we carry out the austerity measures, we should ensure that education is safeguarded not only the Knec because the exams are going to be administered, but because education is a unit that generates the future of the country-human resource,” he added.

Recently audited accounts revealed that Knec had a deficit of Sh3.8 billion, complicating its ability to function effectively.

Milemba also called for the placement of Grade Nine students to secondary schools to address budget constraints and optimise teacher allocation.

“We are grappling with the budget cuts. With these austerity measures, we now want the government to move Grade 9 to secondary schools,” he said.

“Teachers who were teaching Form One will not be having lessons for Form One next year, and we cannot move them to primary. This will affect the Curriculum Based Establishment of the secondary schools. The best thing is to take the students there to the teachers,” he added

The Kuppet Chairman noted that Sh24 billion is needed to build classrooms in primary schools, Sh20 billion for laboratories, and another Sh50 billion to hire more teachers for Junior Secondary Schools.

The nearly 60,000 teachers hired by the Teachers Service Commission as interns will continue working under the same terms. Two weeks ago, the Employment and Labor Relations Court (ELRC) found their employment contracts to be illegal.

But on Friday, a court directed that the status of their employment should remain. This is until the com-mission either gets temporary orders from the Court of Appeal or reaches a compromise.

Justice Byrum Ongaya, however, gave TSC a grace period of three months, meaning that it has to seek intervention from the higher court or absorb all the affected teachers on a permanent and pensionable terms.

A day after Ongaya issued the orders, the Kenya Junior Secondary School Teachers Association (KeJUSTA) wrote to its members saying it is waiting for the interpretation of the term ‘status quo.

It argued that it was unclear what the judge meant.

“I wish to caution teachers against misguided interpretation of the ruling and the misplacement of the term status quo as it appears in the ruling,” wrote KeJUSTA Secretary General Daniel Murithi.

In the meantime, TSC moved back to court to suspend the judgment claiming that it would jeopardize its plan to employ the interns next year.

However, Justice Ongaya said the application meant that TSC was asking him to sit on his own judgment. He however stated that status quo be maintained until August 1,2024.

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“It is in the interest of justice, it appears to the court that it would be appropriate for the status quo prior to the judgment to be maintained with respect to the findings and orders of court in the judgment, pending a compromise or rearrangement of the affairs between parties or applicants filing appropriate application at the Court of Appeal,” ruled Justice Ongaya.

Ongaya ruled that TSC had violate the right to fair labour practices by giving the teachers internship posi-tions while they were qualified and possess teaching licenses.

TSC hired at least 60,000 teachers as interns to teach junior secondary schools(JSS).

The teachers, who have been the backbone of implementation of the Competency Based Curriculum, have vowed not to go back to work until the issue is resolved, throwing the fate of JSSs into limbo.

In his verdict, Justice Ongaya said the commission cannot hire or engage student-teachers or interns as its mandate is limited to employing those who are qualified and registered.

“The respondents have not exhibited statutory regulatory or policy arrangements that would entitle the first respondent (TSC) to employ in-terns. Ideally, the first respondent should employ registered teachers upon terms that are not discriminatory and to meet the optimal staffing needs in public schools,” he said.

The programme was introduced to reduce teacher shortage in schools, particularly at the advent of junior secondary school. It was initially set to run for one year before the interns were absorbed on permanent basis. But in December, President William Ruto announced that the teachers will be required to serve an extension of one year before they can be considered for employment.

In the case, the court heard that TSC gave contracts to the interns to teach two subjects. However, in reality, they ended up teaching every subject.

There were also complaints that despite the tutors being paid a stipend TSC deducted all taxes and contributions required by the government, including the controversial housing levy.

The case was filed by the Forum for Good Governance and Human Rights on behalf of the interns. It indicated that those hired were not supervised but left to grapple with all subjects on their own.

“The second respondent is handling the lives and rights of the children casually as test guinea pigs to confirm whether the CBC, can work,” the court heard.

One of the affected teachers filed an affidavit in support of the case. In his affidavit, Oroso Oganga narrated that he was sent to Eking Narok Primary School in Kajiado County.

A Bachelor of Education (Arts) graduate, he said his contract with TSC was clear that he was to teach History or Christian Religious Education. When he reported to the school on February 7,2023,however,he end-ed up teaching Computer Science, Integrated Science, Social Studies, CRE, Health Education and Life Skills.

Oroso said despite all that work, he was paid only a Sh20,000 stipend.

The nearly 60,000 teachers hired by the Teachers Service Commission as interns may force their employer to pay them full salary for the period served.

This emerged yesterday after the Employment and Labour Relations Court (ELRC) found the commission violated their right to fair labour practice by giving them internship positions while they were qualified and possess teaching licences.

But the decision also throws into limbo the fate of Junior Secondary Schools just two weeks before schools reopen for the second term. The teachers have been the backbone of the implementation of the Competency-Based Curriculum at the Junior Secondary School.

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In his ruling, Justice Byrum Ongaya ruled that the commission cannot hire or engage or hire student-teachers or interns as its mandate is limited to employing only those qualified and registered.

“The respondents have not exhibited statutory regulatory or policy arrangements that would entitle the first respondent (TSC) to employ interns. Ideally, the first respondent should employ registered teachers upon terms that are not discriminatory and to meet the optimal staffing needs in public schools,” Justice Ongaya said.

The programme was introduced to plug teacher shortage that plagued schools and doubled as a crash programme to provide teachers for Junior Secondary Schools.

However, the ruling now adds to the list of troubles that have engulfed the internship programme including major opposition to the extension of the programme.

The internship programme was initially set to run for one year before the interns are absorbed on a permanent and pensionable basis.

However, in December, President William Ruto announced that the teachers will be required to serve an extension of another year before they can be considered for permanent and pensionable employment.

In the case, the court heard that TSC gave contracts to the interns to teach two subjects. However, in classes, they taught everything including sciences and mathematics.

At the same time, those hired were aggrieved that some colleagues were hired on permanent and pensionable terms while they were retained under the terms of teachers in colleges and universities who are placed in schools to learn how to teach.

There were claims that despite the tutors getting an ‘intern stipend’ TSC deducted all taxes and contributions required by the government, including the controversial housing levy.

The case was filed by the Forum for Good Governance and Human Rights on behalf of the interns. It indicated that those hired were not supervised but left to grapple with all subjects on their own.

“The second respondent is handling the lives and rights of the children casually as test guinea pigs to confirm whether the CBC, can work. I state this is indeed a worrying state,” the court heard.

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One of the affected teachers filed an affidavit in support of the case. Oroso Oganga narrated that he was sent to Eking Narok Primary School in Kajiado County.

His degree indicated that he graduated with a degree of Bachelor of Education (Arts). According to him, his contract with TSC was clear that he was to teach History or Christian religious education.

However, he stated that when he reported to the school on February 7, 2023, he ended up teaching Computer Science, Integrated Science, Social Studies, CRE, Health Education and Life Skills.

He said he was also responsible for both administration and management of the class.

Oroso said despite all the work, he went home with a Sh20,000 stipend.

On Wednesday, Kenya National Union of Teachers (KNUT) hailed the court ruling as a significant victory for intern teachers. The ruling paves the way for the interns to be potentially absorbed into permanent positions.

KNUT Secretary-General Collins Oyuu expressed reservations about the internship programme itself, calling it unfair to treat fully qualified teachers as trainees.

“The issue of interns has been a thorn in the flesh much as it was a stop-gap measure, which we actually support, it is prudent that these teachers become permanent and pensionable especially those who have proceeded for a whole year on internship,” Mr Oyuu said.

He has asked TSC to lobby Parliament to allocate funding to absorb the intern teachers on permanent and pensionable terms.

“If the funds to employ the teachers on permanent and pensionable basis are not available, they can pay in arrears when the funds are available,” Oyuu noted.

There are 56,000 intern teachers employed under President William Ruto’s administration.

In February, TSC Secretary General and CEO Nancy Macharia further revealed a plan to hire 20,000 more interns in July.

Secondary Schools

 CCD SECONDARY

1. BURUBURU GIRLS
2. SHADRACK KIMALEL
3. KIVAYWA BOYS

MIME SECONDARY

1. KARIMA GIRLS’
2. OBAMBO
3. WAJIR GIRLS’

SOLO VERSE SECONDARY

1. OLOOLTEPES
2. AGORO SARE
3. STAREHE BOYS

SPOKEN WORD SECONDARY

1. SIYU
2. NJORO GIRLS’
3. MILIMANI NAIROBI

CHORAL VERSE SECONDARY

1. MOI GIRLS NAIROBI
2. BUNGOMA HIGH
3. TIGOI GIRLS’

KSL PLAY SECONDARY

1. ST. ANGELA MUMIAS
2. FR. ODRA
3. KEDOHA

PLAY SECONDARY

1. MUKUUNI
2. FSK
3. SHIMO LA TEWA

STAND UP COMEDY SECONDARY

1. COUNTY GIRLS
2. SHABIR
3. RAMBA BOYS

NARRATIVE SECONDARY

1. FSK
2. LWAK GIRLS
3. RINGA BOYS

MODERN DANCE SECONDARY

1. KANGARU
2. KODERO OBARA
3. TUMAINI SCHOOL

Secondary French items

SOLO

1. Tigoi
2. Arya
3. Rang’ala Girls

Choral

1. Maryhill
2. Tigoi girls
3. Lwak

Play

1. Highway Secondary
2. Bunyore
3. Aliance

Education Cabinet Secretary Ezekiel Machogu was on the receiving end from lawmakers over the expiry of Edu-Afya Medical Insurance Scheme that is given to learners.

MPs who sit in the Public Investments Committee (PIC) on governance and education chaired by Bumula MP Wanami Wamboka accused the ministry of exposing learners following its failure to renew the scheme.

At a meeting between the committee and Machogu, the lawmakers further accused the ministry of neglecting the learners as it would have come up with a short gap measure to protect them while negotiating for a new scheme.

They dismissed arguments by the ministry that the National Health Insurance Fund (NHIF) was the one covering the learners saying this was not the case on the ground.

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Said Wamboka: “Why can’t the ministry put stop gap measures to this. Mr CS our children are exposed now. This is wrong.” Adding: “It is not true that NHIF has come in to cover our students. We want you to tell us what measures you have put in place to deal with this matter.”

The questions by the committee came after Machogu explained that the ministry failed to renew the scheme because  the new Social Health Insurance Fund had collapsed all health insurance schemes including the Edu-afya. He, however, stated that the learners  are now being covered by NHIF.

He said: “Mr Chairman, you know we have a new insurance scheme that has collapsed all other health insurance scheme s including this one of Edu-Afya. But in the meantime, we have NHIF in place.”

A month ago, Health Cabinet Secretary Susan Nakhumicha passed the buck to Machogu over the extension of the scheme.

Said Nakhumicha when she appeared before the National Assembly Health Committee: “It is now upon CS Ezekiel Machogu to write to us to seek an extension of the programme. We are ready to undertake this.”

The Sh4.5 billion Edu-Afya scheme was operationalized in 2018 and had been running for four and a half years before being halted in December 2023.

The scheme offered comprehensive medical insurance coverage for students in public secondary schools registered with the National Educational Management Information System (NEMIS). It also helped in the diagnosis of previously undetected – and therefore untreated – chronic conditions that cause students to miss school regularly.]In the cover, the ministry had negotiated an annual premium of Sh1,350 per student.

At the same time,  the committee has said it will be petitioning the National Assembly to put an embargo on the introduction of new projects by public universities until all pending ones are finalised.

The committee regretted that most projects started by universities have stalled because of shortage  of funds. They further regretted that some of the universities have duplicated projects which are yet to be completed.

Said Wamboka: “We will be asking the National Assembly to put an embargo on new projects so that we can allow universities to complete the pending ones.”

Samburu west MP Naisula Lesuuda, said it is high time that a solution is found to revive public universities as the situation there is dire.

She said: “Apart from the funding crisis we have in the universities, we also need to deal with these pending projects.”

The sentiments by the committee came after Machogu admitted that they are yet to complete the said projects because of  lack of adequate funding.

In a notice on Thursday, KUCCPS announced that application should be done via the student’s portal student.kuccps.net

“The wait is over! The @KUCCPS_Official portal is now open! It’s time to apply for your preferred course in an institution of your choice. Keep it here for updates,” read the notice.

The application is open for placement for students seeking to join Universities, Tvet institutions, Kenya Medical Training College (KMTC), Teachers Training Colleges (TTC) and Open University of Kenya ( OUK).

Those targeted include the KCSE class of 2023 and Form 4 leavers ( KCSE 2000 to 2022).

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At least 903, 260 candidates sat for the papers which began on October 23, 2023 and ended on November 2023.

According to data from the ministry, 899,453 candidates sat for the 2023 KCSE of which 450,554 were male, while 448,899 were females.

The results were released on January 8, 2024, in Eldoret.

They showed that although subcounty secondary schools hosted 66 per cent of examination centres in 2023, they produced only seven A students in the entire country.

National schools, comprising less than one per cent of KCSE exam centres, produced 899 A students. Extra-county schools had 172 As, while county schools had 5 A students.

In a move that could send the Teachers Service Commission (TSC) back to the drawing board over its proposed 2024 Amendment Bill on TSC Act, several unions have pointed out glaring gaps in the draft document that was tabled before them during a stakeholder engagement forum yesterday.

The amendments seek to streamline the teaching profession by factoring emerging issues that are not addressed in the 12-year old TSC Act. Kenya Union of Post Primary Teachers (Kuppet) hit out at their employer for side-lining teachers in its critical operations calling for sector-wide stakeholder engagement towards drafting reforms that will take into account new issues like the CBC curriculum and the report of the Presidential Working Party on Education Reform.

“You do not want to go the real service that created you. You are too bossy and yet we are the one who created you. We want a joint initiative bringing together all relevant government agencies including the Ministry of Education, the KNEC, the KICD, teachers’ unions, teachers’ professional associations, representatives of parents, the private sector and civil society to identify priority areas for legal reforms,” Kuppet Secretary General Akello Misori said.

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Misori accused TSC of attempting to accumulate more power through the document at the expense of addressing the welfare of the teachers and systematic challenges facing the teaching profession. “The reforms should not give more power to the Commission. The TSC is a constitutional commission with a wide mandate. New changes to its powers should help fix gaps that impede the TSC’s effectiveness and the welfare of teachers. These gaps include administrative bottlenecks on promotions, bureaucracy on disciplinary process, and conflict of interest between TSC’s role as employer and regulator,” the SG explained noting that teachers demand a seamless from the commission.

On the issue of salaries that has occasionally created grandstanding between teachers and the commission, KUPPET opposed the amendments saying it gives TSC undue influence to the role of the Salaries and Remuneration Commission at the expense of existing collective bargaining, thereby weakening Article 41 of the Constitution which provides for workers’ right to fair labour practices, fair remuneration and to form, join and to take part in the activities and programmes of trade unions.

According to KUPPET, teachers’ unions are unanimously pushing for amending of Article 237 of the constitution so that an independent professional regulator can be established to create the frameworks for continuous professional development, ethical standards and remedies for emerging challenges including mental health issues and rehab services while TSC sticks to its fundamental role of employing teachers.

“Together with our partners including the Deans of the Schools of Education, Kessha (Kenya Secondary Schools Heads Association) and Kepsha (Kenya Primary School Head Teachers Association), Kuppet has been advocating for an independent assessment of teachers done by their peers – allowing the Commission to play its role as an employer,” SG Misori hinted. Additionally the union proposed that the draft bill provides for creation of an independent appeals tribunal to look into cases of indiscipline among teachers and further offload the burden that the commission is bearing. “The TSC commissioners have outsized power in disciplinary issues. Before an aggrieved teacher goes to the court of law, it would be proper to have an appeals tribunal to check the commissioners’ power,” Misori asserted.

Still on discipline matters Kenya Women Teachers Association, (Kewota) said the proposed amendments on the section must stipulate equal penalty proportionate to the offence committed. “TSC should clearly define the gravity of the offence. What happens when a teacher in the course of try to contain learners slightly slaps a student on the lower body? Does that attract disciplinary action from TSC and if so what kind of penalty the commission should recommend?” posed Kewota Secretary General Benta Opande.

On their part Kessha members said the draft bill must protect the rights of teachers in the wake of public invading schools to evict teachers when their candidates register dismal grades at the national examinations. The teacher employer is seeking to amend a total of 11 sections, third and fourth schedule of the 2012 TSC Act that address the powers of the commission, regulatory framework of the teaching profession, disciplinary actions, remuneration and performance management.

The fight to control of 364,000 teachers played out on Wednesday after Ministry of Education snubbed a meeting called by the teachers employer to review the Teachers Service (TSC) Act.

No officer represented the parent ministry led by Education Cabinet Secretary Ezekiel Machogu, signaling an escalation of turf wars between Jogoo House and the Teachers Service Commission (TSC).

Some of the stakeholders scoffed at the ministry for failing to attend the crucial stakeholders meeting to discuss proposed amendment of the law governing the teaching profession.

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This laid bare the deepening rift between the ministry, responsible for setting education policy, and the TSC, tasked with managing teachers.

The ministry skipped the meeting held at Kenya School of Government, with no explanation or apology offered.

Janet Ouko, representing the Tunza Mtoto Coalition, termed the ministry’s absence “shameful,” highlighting the lack of collaboration and potential negative impact on the education sector.

‘I must say it is shameful that their is no representative from the Ministry of Education here as we discuss such a crucial document. TSC is the child to the ministry and they ought to be here,’ Muthoni said.

This simmering tension has boiled over in recent months, fueled by proposals to amend the TSC Act 2012, potentially expanding the commission’s powers.

The proposed changes, outlined in the TSC Amendment Bill 2024, include granting the TSC regulatory authority over teachers and control over their continuous professional development (CPD).

While some stakeholders see this as a positive step towards professionalizing the teaching force, others fear it concentrates too much power in TSC.

The ministry joined the Kenya National Union of Teachers (Knut) that boycotted the meeting, terming the proposals “punitive” and the consultation period “short notice.”

However, the Kenya Union of Post-Primary Education Teachers (Kuppet) attended the meeting.

Kuppet National Chairman Omboko Milemba argued that the TSC, already empowered since 2012 when the outgoing Act came to force, should focus on improving service delivery instead of seeking additional power.

Milemba said from their review, the proposals border an attempt by the employer to consolidate more powers.

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Kuppet’s reservations, Milemba said, include, the contentious proposal to give the TSC regulatory powers over teachers and control over CPD.

He argued that there is need for separation of powers so that the employer concentrates with staffing and teacher’s welfare as another entity handles regulatory mandate.

Milemba urged TSC to allow for a wholesome stakeholder engagement in the formulation of the regulator role.

He also called for rethinking of continuous training of teachers.

On the other hand, Kuppet Secretary General Akello Misori took note of the silence on union involvement in salary negotiation.

He said that the proposal diregards unions right entrenched in the Constitution to negotiate on behalf of their members.

The TSC proposal wants the employer to have the powers to determine teachers salaries in accordance with article 237 of the Constitution that gives Salaries and Remuneration Commission advisory role on civil servants.

“Article 41 of the Constitution is where we derive our powers but TSC has only mentioned article 237 of the Constitution in their proposal, so what is the role of Collective Bargaining Agreements?” Misori posed.

He questioned the documents silence on who will bear the cost of the CPD development programmes.

TSC had proposed that the programmes be under their purview which is also in contradiction of the presidential working party on education reforms.

The working party in its recommendation recommended for establishment of the Kenya School of Teacher and Education Management (KeSTEM) which will coordinate professional training to teachers; the entity would be under the Ministry of Education.

“Who is going to finance the professional development courses, we need to know that because this has been a contentious issue since it was adopted,” Misori said.

Teacher disciplinary process took center stage in the Wednesday meeting, with various stakeholders fingering TSC’s processes.

Misori said that top among the contentious proposals is the plan for TSC

Kenya Union of Special Needs Education Teachers (KUSNET) Secretary General James Torome however supported the proposals but called on TSC to include special needs institutions in the list of basic education.

On the other hand, school heads through their representatives termed the document timely as they pulled support.

Kenya Secondary Schools Heads Association acting Chairman Willie Kuria, opposed plans to have the continuous development of teachers handled by another entity.

“If the training is not handled by the employer it will be handled by a third party and this could come with a lot of gaps,” Kuria said.

Kenya Primary School Heads Association National Chairman Johnson Nzioka called for provision of a reward system for exemplary teachers in the Act.

“We can see a long list of offenses that teachers if they commit would find themselves in trouble, why can’t we have the same for the opposite. Develop a reward system for high performers,” Nzioka said.

Kenya Women Teachers Association Secretary General, Benter Opande called on the commission to consider review of teaching standards warning that failure to involve stakeholders could lead to bias.

She further asked the TSC to reconsider the disciplinary proposals in the amendment Bill and allow the union representatives to sit with a teacher facing the disciplinary action.

“We are of the opinion that some of the punishments on the offenses listed are too harsh, we propose for a review on punishment and fines on offenses under the Act,” he said.

President William Ruto Wednesday declared that all school fees must be paid through the digital platform, e-Citizen explaining that this development was unstoppable.

He said the digital platform, 222222, was a transparent and accountable way of ensuring school principals do not introduce illegal fees to overburden parents.

Speaking on a day the High Court in Nairobi temporarily stopped the use of the platform, the President insisted that the government is determined to ensure the digitisation of government services.

President Ruto was addressing Kenyans residing in Japan during his state visit.

“You may have heard the latest about school fees in Kenya. Some of the money paid by parents in boarding schools, we are insisting that it be paid through e-Citizen,” Ruto said.

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He said ⁠the new policy that requires school fees be paid through e-Citizen, the government’s digital platform, will eliminate illegal levies charged by certain schools. “Because we realise there are illegal levies charged by the Board of Management of Schools that are prone to abuse, we want to reduce and eventually end them,” Ruto said.

He added, “The cash payments system is slippery and often an avenue for corruption. Technology will help us eliminate this,” he said.

He ⁠reiterated that the gains made in the last year are immense and should not be wished away. He noted that the reduction of more than 3,000 pay bills in government to one has helped eliminate theft. “When I came into office, it was not possible to pay for any government service with a credit card or any mechanism rather than a cash system. Now we have gone completely the opposite,” he said.

“For purposes of accountability, transparency and tracing of records it will be the norm not to pay in cash.”

The government’s decision that school fees be paid through e-citizen was first communicated to all principals in National schools by Principal Secretary, Basic Education, Belio Kipsang on January 31. The principals were to submit bank accounts so that parents could pay boarding fees through the government digital platform.

Ruto added that Kenyans in the diaspora can also transact government business through e-Citizen and pay for electricity and water bills from the comfort of their homes. He said the government is creating opportunities for skilled youth both locally and abroad.

“We are spending about Sh650 billion every year to educate learners from primary to universities to ensure they access education. It is therefore important to spend that money to do the right thing. We must figure out how these huge resources can be monitored,” he added.

Kenya Union of Post Primary Education Teachers (Kuppet) in Trans Nzoia has raised concern over the Ministry of Education directive to national schools to pay fees through the e-Citizen platform.

Kuppet Trans Nzoia chairperson Eliud Wafula urged the ministry to reconsider the decision and call for dialogue with stakeholders to find alternative solutions.

Wafula said the ministry would have considered implementing the programme in universities and technical institutes which handle huge sums of money.

He argued that teachers already have heavy workload and the responsibility of managing online fee payments will overburden them and take them away from their core duty of teaching.

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“It’s not proper for the principal to be reduced to only handling the students and not the resources,” said Wafula.

He said most schools in rural areas do not have reliable internet and it will be difficult for parents and guardians to make online payments which could disenfranchise many students.

“This directive has been issued without proper consultation with stakeholders, particularly school administrators and teachers. It disregards the unique realities of different schools and could create unnecessary logistical hurdles that hinder smooth learning operations,” stated Wafula.

Wafula noted that the e-Citizen platform has a history of technical glitches and downtime. “What happens if parents are unable to make payments due to such issues? Will students be denied access to education?” He posed.

The Kuppet official said parents and guardians should be given various payment options, including mobile money, cash deposits at designated locations, and online payments for those with access.

“Not everyone, especially older parents or those from marginalized communities, is comfortable with digital transactions. The government needs to address the digital literacy gap before implementing such a sweeping mandate,” he said.

“Concerted efforts are needed to bridge the digital divide by expanding internet access and promoting digital literacy, especially in rural areas,” he added.

Wafula urged the government to invest in training teachers and school administrators on how to use the e-Citizen platform.