Government Orders Parents To Pay School Fees Via ECitizen

 

Basic Education Principal Secretary Belio Kipsang during a past address. PHOTO | COURTESY

In a hurry? Here’s a quick summary…

• Starting February 6, 2024, parents of public school students are required to pay fees through the government's eCitizen online platform.

• A memo from Basic Education Principal Secretary Belio Kipsang directs school principals to share bank account details by February 6.

• The initiative aims to integrate government services into the eCitizen platform for enhanced service delivery.

• The Ministry of Education instructs against charging extra levies, emphasizing that tuition requirements are covered through capitation.

• School heads, board members, and headteachers may face consequences for imposing unauthorized levies.

• President William Ruto launched the revamped eCitizen portal in June 2023, with school fee payments as the latest addition.

• A circular emphasizes that no child should be denied schooling for not participating in the optional school lunch program.

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Gov't Directs Parents To Pay School Fees Via ECitizen

Starting February 6, 2024, parents of students attending public schools are now required to submit their children's fees through the government's online platform, eCitizen. 

In a memorandum dated January 31, 2024, Basic Education Principal Secretary Belio Kipsang instructed all national school principals to share their school bank account details with the office of the State Department's Director General by Tuesday, February 6, 2024.

This directive is part of the government's broader initiative to integrate all government services into the e-Citizen platform,

aiming to improve overall service delivery. The coordination for this effort involves the directorate of e-Citizen, in collaboration with the Information Communication Technology Authority (ICTA), the Ministry of Information, Communication and the Digital Economy, and the National Treasury.

According to the circular, parents and guardians are instructed to make fee payments for their children using the eCitizen

platform to ensure compliance with the government's requirements. This move aligns with the goal of expanding the eCitizen portal, which was revamped and launched by President William Ruto in June 2023, to encompass various government services, including school fee payments.

To reinforce adherence to the new system, the Ministry of Education has directed school heads to refrain from imposing extra levies on parents beyond authorized fees. 

In a subsequent circular dated February 2, PS Kipsang clarified that tuition requirements for primary and junior secondary schools are covered through capitation, eliminating the need for additional fees. School principals, board members, and headteachers who impose unauthorized levies will face consequences.

Furthermore, the PS emphasized that no child should be denied access to education based on non-payment for the school lunch program, as participation in this program remains optional. 

These measures are designed to streamline the fee payment process, eliminate unauthorized charges, and ensure equitable access to education for all students.