Prof George Magoha, the Education Cabinet Secretary, has urged headteachers against making unreasonable demands on Form One students ahead of their entrance on Tuesday, May 3.
When announcing the placement of form one pupils, Magoha issued a strong warning to school heads, accusing them of denying eligible children admittance due to unapproved goods by the ministry.
Exercise books, novels, class readers or set books, mathematics sets, atlases, copier papers, and fulscarps are among the items on the list.
In addition, the Education Secretary banned schools from requiring students to report with non-academic equipment such as hockey sticks, machetes (pangas), and hoes (jembes).
He promised to keep parents from becoming overburdened by unneeded bills.
“We are committed to ensuring that parents of learners who are joining Form One are not overburdened with unnecessary requirements that increase the cost of education. The idea here is to admit Kenyan child into a public school where secondary school is free,” he stated
President Uhuru’s government, according to Magoha, has put aside money to fund education in public schools and would cover the costs of classroom equipment. He further stated that any headmaster who is caught turning away pupils due to the items will be prosecuted.
“Principals should therefore exercise precaution when listing requirements as part of the measures to the cost of education. Do not stop the child from going to the school, if you do, I am still the head of this ministry, I will come for you,” Magoha warned.
According to Magoha, the Elimu scholarship program will provide financial aid to 9,000 students. 4,000 of the scholarships would be allocated to urban informal communities.
“President Uhuru Kenyatta, having that there was a huge problem in urban slums, 4,000 of the scholarships will be for the less fortunate students in these areas. The other 5,000 will be distributed across the country,” the CS added.
He further emphasized that students in boarding schools will be given priority in the awarding of bursaries.
“Bursaries and scholarships should be given to students admitted to boarding schools since day schooling is free. However, for boarding school well-wishers and philanthropists are encouraged to consider covering costs of other non-tuition related expenses such as school uniforms and personal effects for children who are needy,” he explained.
38,797 candidates were placed in national schools, 214,960 in extra county, 258,456 in county schools, 726,311 in Sub-county schools and 2,045 in special needs schools.
