Parents squeezed as schools pile on additional fees

For many Kenyan parents, the start of a school term no longer signals just the return of learning; it marks the beginning of a financial strain that seems to grow heavier each year.

Beneath the official school fee structures approved by the government, a web of additional charges, informal levies, and “motivational” contributions has quietly taken root, raising a fundamental question: are schools raising standards, or simply raising money?

At the centre of the storm are public schools, long expected to operate within government guidelines on fees.

Yet across the country, parents are reporting a surge in costs, some sanctioned, others hidden, leaving families struggling to keep children in school.

At Alliance Girls High School, one of the country’s premier institutions, parents have raised alarm over what they term as an abrupt and burdensome increase in fees.

According to communication shared among parents, the total annual fees for 2026 have risen to Sh120,179, up from Sh89,434 the previous year. Term Two alone has nearly doubled.

“Instead of increasing fees, the institution should have prioritised recovering what is already owed. With just five terms remaining, this fee hike will likely worsen the arrears situation,” one parent wrote in a class WhatsApp group, pointing to rising arrears.

Another parent said the decision is irreversible. “This has been pushed down our throats… What will be the point of discussing it in our meeting if it is already decided for us?”

Beyond tuition, the list of additional charges continues to grow with uniform costs, remedial classes costing over Sh6,000 per term, and so-called “motivation kits.” For many, the cumulative burden is becoming unbearable.

“We are now confused. Fee increased to Sh120,000, remedial of Sh6,111 per term, motivation kit is also included. Are we in business or are we looking at the welfare of these children?” lamented another parent.

Jane Akinyi, a parent at the school, described the emotional toll of the financial pressure.

“I struggle with paying school fees because I also have other children in other schools. But we have been disrespected and tortured. We didn’t request vacancies where our children earned their place. Why all these frustrations?”

The frustrations are not limited to elite institutions. In Malava Boys High School, parents are required to provide reams of paper and pay Sh2,000 for remedial classes.

At Chavakali Boys in Vihiga County, students pay Sh3500 as remedial fees, in addition to A3 rim paper charged at Sh1600 every term.

In Makueni County, one Cluster 1 school demands Sh5,000 as a fee top-up, another Sh5,000 per term for remedial lessons, and yet another Sh5,000 for maintenance.

While these charges vary from school to school, the pattern is strikingly similar, with parents being asked to dig deeper into their pockets, often with little consultation or transparency.

Education officials have warned against such practices. Early in January, President William Ruto, speaking during a thanksgiving service in Busia, cautioned school administrators against exploiting parents under the pretext of delayed government funding.

“Hear this from me. The government has disbursed the money. I want to tell those managers in the education sector not to take advantage of parents on false accounts,” he said.

According to the President, over Sh60 billion has been released to support education, including capitation and bursaries aimed at easing access for vulnerable learners.

Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Ogamba has also issued stern warnings, declaring that any additional levies imposed without government approval are illegal.

His remarks followed a High Court ruling affirming that schools cannot charge extra fees beyond what is sanctioned by the Ministry.

“No principal or headteacher is allowed to levy any extra charges that are not part of policy. Stern action will be taken,” Ogamba stated. 

Yet despite these warnings, the practice persists, often evolving in form rather than disappearing.

A report commissioned by the Ministry of Education following school unrest in 2016 sheds light on how schools and teachers have developed sophisticated methods of extracting additional income.

One strategy involves extending teaching hours into co-curricular time, then demanding overtime payments justified through extra classes.

Teachers reportedly hold lessons during lunch breaks, evenings, and even late into the night, effectively turning normal school hours into revenue-generating opportunities.

The report also highlights the proliferation of examinations. From continuous assessments to random tests, mock exams, and supplementary papers, students are subjected to an increasing number of tests, each attracting additional fees.

Another controversial practice is the demand for “motivation” money for teachers. Parents are asked to contribute funds to reward teachers, finance staff trips, or even incentivise better performance.

“Oppression, whether of teachers or parents, and motivation cannot be in the same WhatsApp group,” one parent remarked, pointing to the growing use of digital platforms to solicit funds informally.

Indeed, WhatsApp groups have emerged as a new frontier in school fundraising. Originally intended for communication, these platforms are now being used to coordinate contributions that often bypass official school accounts.

Representatives of the Auditor General have flagged this trend as a major accountability risk.

“Through these groups is where a lot of money is raised, which does not hit the bank account. It is coercing parents,” an official noted.

For parents, the pressure is not just financial but also psychological. Many fear that failure to comply could lead to their children being victimised.

“You cannot complain because your child will suffer,” one parent said.

Government officials acknowledge the funding challenges but insist that schools must operate within the law.

Head of Public Service Felix Koskei has taken an even firmer stance, warning that disguised charges, whether labelled as uniforms, sports equipment, or maintenance, must stop.