FINANCIAL CONSTRAINTS
High-achieving students at Meru School in Kenya, with top grades in the Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE), including A (plain) and A (Minus), have been leaving the institution burdened by substantial debts over the past three years. Despite Principal Rutere Mwenda celebrating the outstanding performance of the 414 boys who took the 2023 examination, he expressed concern about the mounting unpaid fees left behind by these successful students. The school has been grappling with this financial challenge, attributing it to the majority of students hailing from vulnerable families unable to settle fee arrears, which have accumulated to over Sh20 million in the last three years.
Principal Mwenda acknowledged that the 2023 graduating class alone left arrears amounting to Sh5.7 million. He emphasized the difficulty in recovering these funds, estimating that even if they managed to collect, it would not exceed 10 percent of the total. This financial struggle has placed the institution in a precarious position, given the ongoing operational costs and the need to cater to the well-being of 2,200 students.
While the school has faced challenges in retrieving outstanding fees, it has implemented internal strategies for survival. One approach involves an alumni network that contributes funds to support the education of the neediest students. Principal Mwenda highlighted their ability to navigate financial difficulties, although this often comes at the expense of developmental projects or repairs within the school.
The principal emphasized the complexities of fee recovery post-examination, as the contractual agreement is between the student and the Kenya National Examination Council (KNEC). Furthermore, the Ministry of Education mandates the release of students’ result slips upon the publication of examination results, making it challenging to compel fee payment. Despite these hurdles, the school relies on various means to stay afloat, including alumni support and income-generating projects to raise fees and prevent the unfortunate scenario of sending students home. Notably, even students who had initially left the school but returned after dropping out from a day school have contributed to the institution’s success, demonstrating resilience and determination. In the 2023 KCSE exams, Meru School achieved a notable 8.9 mean score, with 22 students obtaining straight A grades.
