The government has forbidden local schools to charge fees in foreign currency adding that any fees increment should be after proper consultation with the parents.
This was revealed by the acting Minister of Primary and Secondary Education, Kirsty Coventry. In a statement, the former world swimming champion said:
The fees are increased by parents at properly constituted meetings and schools should adhere to decisions and recommendations of the SDCs (School Development Committees).
Our fees should comply with Statutory Instrument 142 of 2019 where pricing is done in local currency and this does not give room for rating fees according to prevailing bank rate since all fees are in local currency. Application for fees increases should be below 20 percent increase and any other increases should be approved by the head of the ministry as directed in the Secretaries Circular Minute Number 6 of 2018.
Her remarks came amidst reports that some schools are charging fees in United States dollars or equivalent despite the government banning the use of all foreign currencies for domestic transactions.
Other reports suggest that some schools have since notified parents of the new fees to be paid next term without government approval while some elite schools are reportedly demanding up to $90 000.
More: The Chronicle