School principal demands Sh10k ‘blessings fee’ from Form Four candidates
A secondary school in Vihiga County has been put on the spot over a Sh10,500 “blessings” fee it is charging each Form Four candidate.
The demand by the school caused an uproar among parents, resulting in the summoning of Kaimosi Girls High School Principal Violet Opala by County Education Director Siloma Kinaiya.
Ms Opala told parents, through a text message, that the payment would ensure “the girls get into blessings fully” before they start this year’s Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education examination.
Parents, who spoke on condition of anonymity due to fear that their daughters could be victimised, on Tuesday said the money could be used for prayers or to compromise examination officials.
CONSTRUCTION OF DORMITORY
Ms Opala, however, denied the claims, saying the cash would be used for the construction of a dormitory and basketball court.
Reads the message: “…kindly remember to clear our daughter’s fee at Friends School Kaimosi Girls of Sh … (fee balance has been edited out to protect students from victimisation) and the Trust Fund levies of Sh10,500 before she starts her exams on 7th November 2016 to allow her get into her blessings fully. Thank you. Mrs Opala.”
The Trust Fund levy is to be deposited into a separate bank account from the regular one.
Parents complained that the levy is outside the official school fees structure. “Could it be a levy towards prayers before examinations?” a parent posed.
The school’s board of management chairman, Mr Hudson Aluvanze, said the Trust Fund, under the name Kaimosi Girls Elimu Trust, has been operated in a separate account after the ministry said it should not be included in the fees.
Ms Opala said the amount was approved by the Cabinet Secretary, which Mr Kinaiya denied.
