Parents with children in secondary schools now have a reason to smile after the Cabinet Secretary for Education George Magoha announced a reduction in next term’s fees.

The shortness of the 2021 school calendar occasioned the reduction.

Magoha made the announcement while he was speaking at the Kenya Institute of Curriculum Development on Thursday at the launch of 2021’s launch of Elimu Scholarships.

According to Magoha, out of 45,000 applications for the Elimu Scholarships, only 9,000 will benefit from the government project.

The beneficiaries, drawn from 110 sub-counties in 30 counties as well as 15 urban areas especially from informal settlements will have their school fees fully paid, transport money, pocket money, uniforms and a basic requirement school kit.  

The CS reiterated that primary and secondary education is free and issued a warning against any heads of school who go against his directive and hike the fees.

“I want to make it clear that primary schools and day secondary schools are free in case of any charge, it should be approved and voluntary,” the CS said.

Should the directive be implemented, the National schools will only pay Sh45,054 less Sh8,500 while the Extra County schools will pay Sh35,035 less Sh5,500.

Primary and Secondary schools are scheduled to open on July 26, 2021, for the first term of the 2021 academic calendar.