Parents face mounting costs as exams season draws

Days before the commencement of Form Four national examinations and Grade Six assessment, families across the country found themselves under intense financial pressure.

While these tests are a defining moment in the academic lives of students, they come at a significant cost — one that extends far beyond tuition fees, especially for parents with children in high schools.

Students are expected to undertake rigorous study schedules, attend extra tuition sessions, and even eat special meals.

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Kenya Certificate of Secondary Examination (KCSE) select subjects for Form Four students started yesterday, while Kenya Primary School Education Assessment (KPSEA) tests for those in Grade 6 will begin on October 28 to 30.

Despite the government’s decision to halt the public announcement of top-performing students, intended to reduce the competitive tension, many schools still resort to both ethical and questionable methods to secure high ranking.

Parents find themselves caught in a web of extra charges aimed at boosting student performance, often leaving those with fewer financial resources feeling overwhelmed.

Schools, particularly in major cities, expect students to remain in school during the extended exam period, demanding payments ranging from Sh1,000 to Sh3,000..

For parents already struggling with school fees, these extra contributions can be devastating.

Jane Kanja, a parent whose daughter is in Form Four at a public school in Vihiga, shared her frustrations:

“We’ve already committed, so we have no choice but to comply. I have a daughter who has been asked to pay money for special diet on top of the fees I’ve already paid,” said Kanja.

Like many others, this parent requested anonymity to avoid issues with the school.

“Motivation fees have become a norm in schools during the examination season. We were told the money will be paid to teachers who are in school to take students through revision during the examination period,” he stated.

The challenges are particularly worrying for parents like Hildah Waswa with limited financial means, who felt overshadowed by wealthier families dictating the terms of these additional costs.

“Special diet money for students sitting examinations is not an option. Schools demand the cash which is supposed to be sent to the class teacher or handed to him or her in person. Mark you there is no receipt of the same payment,” she said.

Parents with students in lower classes may consider transferring their children to day schools to avoid costs.

But this option becomes impossible once the student is registered for national exams, as transferring at this late stage is extremely difficult, barring serious health or disciplinary issues.

“You cannot transfer a student , rather we suffer in silence and swallow the pain,” he said.

Many parents are left wondering why these costs aren’t covered by the already high fees they’ve paid.

“It makes no sense that I must pay for additional tuition and special meals for a candidate when I have already paid tuition fees. Schools should budget for all expenses as per the e law,” lamented another parent with a child at a boarding school in Machakos.

However, Kenya Secondary Schools Heads Association chairman Willie Kuria dismissed the allegations, saying instead schools have for long sacrificed for the sake of students.

“Whoever is coming up with such a narrative should be specific and not label schools as milking parents over illegal levies. We do not charge parents for keeping students in school during the examination period,” he said.

Kuria said, that although the official term ends this week, candidates who stay in school will end the day they sit for the last paper.

“Candidates contribute to a smaller percentage of the school population as compared to the rest of classes which will be away during the examination period. That cannot cripple a school’s feeding programme,” he said.

Parents with children attending private schools have also voiced their frustrations over what they see as excessive contributions.

Some have expressed regret about enrolling their children in private institutions and have decided not to continue with private education for senior school.

“Once they finish Form Four, they have a good foundation. We’ll send them to public schools for advanced education,” said one parent.

The growing concern over these additional costs has led some lawmakers to call for greater regulation of fees in private schools.

Marakwet West MP Timothy Kipchumba argues that while parents appreciate the quality of education offered, the financial strain is unsustainable.

“We must prioritise education over profit. Schools should not be places where parents feel exploited, but where we are partners in our children’s success,” said Kipchumba.

However, progress on this front has been slow, with many private school owners—some of whom are politicians—arguing that high taxes and operational costs justify the extra fees.

“The term ends on October 24, 2024. Any extra cost incurred by a school should be shouldered by parents not institutions,” one school director said.

However, Chairman Kenya Private Schools Association Charles Ochome exonerated private schools from blame saying they do not demand extra levy from parents for motivation purposes.

 “We don’t call for any extra charge from our parents. It is our responsibility and core duty to take students through the process of examination without going back to parents,” he said.