The Teachers Service Commission has opened a formal inquiry after the Education Cabinet Secretary referred the matter over an alleged unauthorised fee rise at Alliance Girls High School. This TSC investigation Alliance Girls case examines an apparent jump in school fees and potential breaches of the Basic Education Act.
Key Takeaways
- Cabinet Secretary Julius Ogamba recommended disciplinary action and a formal TSC investigation into the principal over an unauthorised fee increase.
- Fees reported rose from Ksh.53,558 to Ksh.120,179 without the required approval under the Basic Education Act, 2013.
- The Ministry’s assessment recommended dissolving the school board due to approval of non-essential and unrealistic budget items.
- Specific questionable expenditures include large allocations for trips, prize events and allowances that likely contributed to the fee hike.
Investigation details: TSC investigation Alliance Girls
The Commission is investigating actions by the Alliance Girls High School principal after a ministry assessment found a large fee increase was implemented without Cabinet Secretary approval. The increase moved the approved fee of Ksh.53,558 to Ksh.120,179, raising concerns about legality and fairness to parents.
The Cabinet Secretary referred the matter to the Acting TSC CEO, noting that the change appears contrary to Section 29(2)(b) of the Basic Education Act, 2013. The principal may face interdiction and other disciplinary measures if the TSC finds breaches of the teachers’ code of conduct or TSC regulations.
Findings from the ministry assessment
The Quality Assurance and Standards Directorate recommended the dissolution of the school board after it approved a budget with what the ministry called “non-essential and unrealistic expenditure areas.” The report lists several budget lines that likely pushed up the total fees.
- Moral and spiritual activities: Ksh.1,100,000
- Annual trips: Ksh.16,000,000
- Prize giving and speeches: Ksh.13,000,000
- Prize vouchers, sweets and examiners: Ksh.5,000,000
- Airtime and administrative allowance: Ksh.3,000,000
- Approved five-day staff trip to Dubai: Ksh.25,000,000 (with a Ksh.13,000,000 shortfall to be bridged)
What the law requires
Under the Basic Education Act, schools must obtain approval before changing approved fee structures. The Act aims to protect parents and ensure transparency in school budgeting and fee-setting. An unauthorised fee increase is therefore a legal and administrative issue that triggers oversight by the Ministry and the TSC.
When irregularities are found, the ministry can recommend remedial steps such as disciplinary action, board dissolution, or directives to revise budgets and refund or adjust fees where necessary.
Impact on parents, students and school governance
Parents and guardians face immediate financial strain when fees rise without consultation or legal approval. Schools that approve large non-essential budgets risk losing the trust of the community and facing regulatory sanctions.
For school leaders and boards, this case underlines the need for prudent budgeting and adherence to approval processes. Boards must guide on financial priorities and avoid items that could be seen as luxurious or unnecessary relative to educational needs.
Practical steps for parents and school leaders
- Parents should request written budget breakdowns and proof of approvals for any fee changes.
- School boards should review budgets against core educational priorities and consult the County Education Board where required.
- Teachers and school managers must follow the TSC code of conduct and seek written authorization for any significant financial decisions.
Further guidance and resources
Schools and parents looking for curriculum or assessment guidance can consult national exam and curriculum resources. For materials on the CBC curriculum and assessments, see the CBC exams resources. Primary school teachers and learners may find practice papers at the free KCPE exams page. Senior students preparing for national exams can use targeted revision materials available on the KCSE revision exams page.
This case is ongoing. The TSC investigation Alliance Girls process will determine whether disciplinary action is warranted and whether further governance changes are needed to protect learners and parents from unauthorised fee increases.
