The government plans to appeal a court ruling that blocked the use of the eCitizen platform for paying school fees, arguing that the system was introduced to enhance transparency and accountability in fee collection.
According to Immigration and Citizen Services Principal Secretary Julius Bitok, the government has long struggled with unregulated fee increments by some stakeholders. He emphasized that the eCitizen system was meant to address these challenges by ensuring a clear and transparent way for parents to see how their money is used.
“We’ve had a problem for a long time. Sometimes, the government sets fees, and some stakeholders increase them without consultation. We are trying to make it as open and transparent as possible for everyone to see how the money goes,” Bitok said.
The court had ruled against the mandatory use of eCitizen for fee payments, citing concerns raised by some parents and school administrators. Critics of the system argue that it limits flexibility in payment methods and could disadvantage those without access to digital platforms or banking services. Some schools have also expressed concerns about delays in disbursing funds collected through the system.
Despite these objections, the government insists that the platform is essential for streamlining fee collection and curbing irregularities. The eCitizen system, initially introduced for government services like passport applications and business registration, was extended to school fee payments as part of broader digital transformation efforts.
The Ministry of Education and other relevant government agencies are expected to file an appeal, seeking to overturn the decision. Officials argue that without a centralized system, some schools might continue inflating fees or mishandling funds, making it harder for parents and regulators to track expenditures.
As the legal battle unfolds, parents and school heads will be watching closely to see whether the government succeeds in reinstating the platform for fee payments. The outcome of the appeal could have significant implications for the future of digital payments in the education sector and broader government service delivery.
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