Jonathan Manyindo
1 October 2008
Nairobi — Several boarding secondary schools in Taita District may close early this term due to the rising cost of food.
Several headteachers told the Nation on condition of anonymity said the cost of feeding students had gone up by more than 100 per cent and their "small budgets" cannot sustain the costs.
Moi Kasigau principal Dishon Mngoda said he would send the students for an early mid term break because the boarding cash could not sustain the food prices.
The Government is yet to remit the Sh5,000 per student tuition subsidy, hence the school is forced to spend other votes including boarding fees to buy learning materials.
"It is not easy for us but what we are trying to do is to use all means possible to avert student strikes that were experienced last term," he said.
Much as the school boards do not wish to increase fees, the economic situation is dictating that the Government has to approve proposals to charge extra fees, added the principal.
Two weeks ago Mr Mngoda bought a bag of beans at Sh3,200 but was shocked to find it going for Sh6,500 on Friday while a sack of maize was selling at Sh2,800, up from Sh1,600.
At this rate, he said, the options were charging extra fees or closing before the official November 24 date.
The headteachers said they had sought permission from the District Education Board to increase fees by at least Sh3,000. If approved, parents will pay Sh16,000 instead of the current Sh13,000.
However, acting Taita district education officer Moses Mwita said he had not received any application from the principals for boarding fees increase.
Increase fees
"What I know is that the Government has delayed in remitting the free secondary education funds but that should not be the basis for the school heads to close early or increase fees," he said.
Although food prices had gone up by a big margin, the DEO urged parents to talk to their children to understand the hard economic situation the world was facing and advise them to desist from engaging in rebellious activities.
Last week Mwakichuchu Secondary School students were sent home for early mid term break after a failed strike over food.
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