Fresh tension has emerged between the teachers’ union and the government after the High Court ruled that public schools must not charge parents any levies without direct approval from the Education Cabinet Secretary. The Kenya Union of Post Primary Education Teachers has strongly opposed the decision, saying it threatens to paralyse operations in schools that rely on these funds.

During an interview with Citizen TV on Tuesday, KUPPET Deputy Secretary General Moses Nthurima said the ruling places school heads in a tough position. He said that levies are often the only option available when government money delays.

“We cannot run schools without the levies because oftenly there are delays in government in submission of capitation, and Sometimes you find that the pending bills of education is huge, and so that is reason why schools ove and ensure that they levy some money so tat they can help in financing education,” he said.

Nthurima added that the rising cost of living has made it even harder for schools to stay open without asking parents to help. He pointed to Section 29 of the Basic Education Act, which he said allows school boards to introduce levies, as long as they follow the right procedures.

“For schools to provide quality education, there must be money and resources to foot the cost that comes with managing these schools,” he said.

However, Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Ogamba has maintained that the law must be followed and warned of consequences for any principal who demands unauthorized levies.

“School heads and principals are directed to ensure prudent use of these public resources entrusted to their care for the benefit of learners and to desist from imposing any unauthorised levies,” Ogamba said.

In its ruling delivered on Monday, June 16, the High Court declared all school levies illegal unless approved by the Education Cabinet Secretary. The court’s move followed concerns from parents that some schools were demanding high fees without clear justification.

KUPPET now wants the government to address the issue of delayed capitation and rising school costs, warning that without a solution, the quality of education may suffer.