Back-to-school burden: Parents struggle under rising costs

As schools prepare to reopen for the second term next week, a quiet crisis is unfolding in households across the country.For many parents, the excitement of returning learners to class has been replaced by anxiety, frustration, and in some cases, despair.

The rising cost of living driven by high fuel prices, increased transport fares, and a surge in school-related expenses is pushing families to the brink, threatening access to education for thousands of children.

The recent fuel price hike announced on April 14, which saw petrol rise to Sh206.97 per litre and diesel to Sh206.84, is adding to the strain, with the ripple effect becoming increasingly severe.

Public transport operators have responded by increasing fares by up to 25 per cent, significantly raising the cost of travel for students, especially those in boarding schools or studying far from home.

“We are going to increase fares by 25 per cent across the country so that we can cushion our margins,” said Andrew Karakacha, Matatu Owners Association chairman, noting that fuel accounts for more than half of their operating costs.

For parents like Jane Akinyi from Kibra, who has a child in Bomet, the impact is already biting.

“It is worrying that the cost of education is becoming unbearable. The government must urgently address the issue. Most parents are struggling to make ends meet and it would be unfair to increase fares and the cost of school items at this time,” she said.

Transport, once a secondary expense, has now become a dominant factor in household budgets.Families travelling with Ena Coach from Nairobi to Western Kenya are now paying up to Sh1,800, up from Sh1,600, while those heading to Mombasa are paying as much as Sh3,000, up from Sh2,500.

Beyond transport, parents are also grappling with a growing list of school levies, many of which are not officially sanctioned.

Despite policies guaranteeing free and compulsory basic education, schools continue to demand payments for remedial lessons, reams of paper, special meals, academic tours, sports fees, and even “motivation fees” before students are readmitted.

A recent survey by an education lobby group revealed that over 90 per cent of public schools charge admission fees ranging from Sh500 to Sh25,000, while many also impose additional costs for desks, lockers, and textbooks.

In some cases, parents are required to purchase specific learning materials or contribute to development projects such as classroom construction.

“The reality is that parents are being forced to pay for what should be free. This is not just about affordability it’s about fairness and the right to education,” said James Maina, a parent in Nyeri.

Many parents are delaying fee payments, shifting schools, or transferring children to more affordable institutions closer to home. Others are considering withdrawing their children altogether.In Nakuru and Nyeri, families report moving children from private to public schools to cut costs.

“We have already changed school for our daughter because the cost is too high for us to bear,” said one parent, noting that bus fees had risen from Sh8,000 to Sh10,000 per term.

School operators say they are also under pressure, with rising fuel costs increasing the price of transporting supplies, running generators, and maintaining school buses.

Some have introduced new charges or are considering fee hikes, despite fears of losing students.

“The impact of the fuel hike is not really palatable. We are left with no choice but to increase the fare of our school buses, which also affects the parents who are already struggling,” said Dr Mary Mueni, a school owner in Nairobi.

Others warn the situation is becoming unsustainable.

“If we pass all these costs to parents, many will not be able to pay. But if we absorb them, we risk shutting down,” said Peter Githiga, a private school proprietor in Limuru.

Even where tuition fees remain unchanged, hidden costs continue to rise. Parents report new charges introduced through PTA meetings, including curriculum implementation levies, graduation fees, and increased activity contributions.

For Abdulhamid Yusuf, a father of three in Nyeri, the burden is overwhelming.

“I am supposed to pay Sh32,000 for one child, Sh12,000 for another, and Sh10,000 for the youngest. Honestly, the money is not much, but I cannot pay it at once,” he said.

“I have a communication for my son to buy a ream of paper, soap of a particular brand, 15 exercise books of 200 pages, remedial fees of Sh4,000, teachers motivation of Sh5,000, development fees, special meal charges of Sh7,000, trip money Sh4,000, co-curricular activity Sh5,000 and school fees booster of Sh8,000,” said James Masiza, a parent with a student in a national school in Makueni.

The crisis is compounded by broader economic pressures, with many parents saying rising fuel costs have affected incomes and limited their ability to meet basic needs.

“If I can’t meet my daily activities due to economic hardship, how will I be able to pay school fees? If something urgent isn’t done, this will become a disaster,” asked Noor Abraham, a Nairobi-based father of four.

Lawmakers have also raised concern over illegal levies, accusing school administrators of ignoring government directives.Emuhaya MP Omboko Milemba called for stricter enforcement and accountability.

“There are policies in place, but they are not being followed. Parents are being punished, and children are suffering because they cannot access school without meeting these demands,” said Milemba.

Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Ogamba acknowledged enforcement challenges, noting that disciplinary control over teachers lies with the Teachers Service Commission (TSC).

“Directives are issued like circular of 2023 but the implications of the circular becomes a challenge because of several reasons. One of which is to date under the ministry of education there has been two centres of power with respect to disciplinary of management of teachers,” he said.

“On one hand the teachers are managed by an independent commission TSC so that even when we indicate that a certain principal has violated a particular circular given by the ministry, the process of discipline is at a different institution and the independence thereof.”

Ogamba said the Ministry is working on amendments to the Teachers Service Act and the Basic Education Act, following recommendations from the Presidential Working Party, to strengthen oversight and enforcement. He also urged Parliament to fast-track the proposed laws to reintroduce school inspectors with enforcement powers.