Govt To Fine Parents KSh 5M For keeping Kids Out Of School

Govt To Fine Parents KSh 5M For keeping Kids Out Of School

Govt To Fine Parents KSh 5M For keeping Kids Out Of School

If a parent keeps their child from attending school due to family disagreements, religious or cultural beliefs, they risk fines of Ksh5 million.The Ministry of Education is working to ensure that children have unhindered access to their right to an education, as outlined in the Basic Education Bill, 2024.

One of the specified offenses that carries a five-year jail sentence or a fine of Ksh5 million is keeping a child from school due to work-related reasons.”No one has the right to stop a child from going to school for any reason, including work, religion, parental disagreement, cultural customs, or any other reason.

“A person who contravenes sub-section commits an offence and is liable to a fine not exceeding Ksh5 million or to a period not exceeding five years or both,” the Ministry proposed.On the other hand, the Ministry has also proposed tough regulations that will govern circumstances when parents excuse their children from attending school.

According to the plans, head teachers would be able to order a parent to bring a pupil back to class.

“The institutional administrator shall issue a written notice to the parent of the child requiring the parent to comply with the provisions of this Act and submit a report on the child to the County Education Board where the administrator determines that there are no reasonable grounds for the child’s failure to attend school.”

“Any parent who without a reasonable cause and after a written notice from the institutional administrator fails to comply with this section commits an offence and is liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding Ksh500,000 or to imprisonment for a period not exceeding two years or to both,” read the suggestions in part.

Other Offences Facing Parents

A parent will also be penalized Ksh100,000 if they neglect to make sure their child  is admitted to school during the admission period.

“It is an offense for a parent or guardian to neglect to transport their child to school  as mandated by subsection (1).If found guilty of violating this clause, the offender  faces a maximum fine of Ksh100, a maximum sentence of one year in jail, or both,”  the Ministry suggested.

The Presidential Working Party on Education Reforms’ recommendations were  taken into consideration when the Ministry developed the new regulations. The head of the task force was Dr. Raphael Munavu.