A storm is brewing at Bidii Primary School after parents pushed back against a directive requiring each parent to pay a mandatory Sh1,000 per pupil, a move they say is illegal, poorly timed, and imposed without consensus.
The school administration has insisted on the payment, warning that learners may not be cleared at the end of Term One if parents fail to comply—an ultimatum that has further inflamed tensions.
At the heart of the dispute is what the school terms a “teacher motivation fee,” traditionally paid voluntarily by parents at the end of the year and in amounts they chose. The new policy, however, makes the contribution compulsory and upfront—drawing sharp criticism.
“We have not rejected supporting teachers, but this has always been voluntary and done at the end of the year,” one parent said. “Why is it now being forced, and why this amount?”
Another parent questioned the intent behind the directive, alleging possible misuse of funds. “You want to buy cars for teachers—where is the money we have been giving all along?” the parent asked during a heated February meeting with the school’s headteacher.
Others raised concerns about priorities and accountability. “Is a vehicle more important than performance? Shouldn’t we first see results before being compelled to pay?” another parent posed.
Despite the resistance, parents say the school has remained firm, with concerns raised during the meeting reportedly ignored.
With a student population of just over 1,000, the policy is expected to generate approximately Sh1 million—raising further questions about transparency and oversight. Parents are now demanding a return to the previous system, where contributions were voluntary and made at year-end.
The controversy has also drawn attention to broader regulatory concerns. According to Ministry of Education guidelines, public schools are prohibited from imposing unauthorized levies, and any form of mandatory payment outside approved fees is considered irregular.
Parents are now seeking clarification on whether the Teachers Service Commission (TSC) sanctions such “motivation fees,” with many arguing that the burden unfairly shifts responsibility for teacher welfare onto already strained households.
For over two months, families say they have faced sustained pressure to comply, even as the cost of living continues to rise.
The dispute has now escalated beyond the school, with parents calling for intervention from education authorities to review the directive and enforce existing regulations.
“We are not refusing to support the school,” a parent emphasized. “We are asking for fairness, transparency, and respect for the law.”
