Basic Education Principal Secretary Belio Kipsang directed that all school-going children must be registered as dependents of their parents before the start of the new school term.
The Ministry of Education has instructed all parents to ensure that their school-going children are registered under the newly established Social Health Insurance Fund (SHIF) before Monday, August 26 when schools are set to reopen for the Third Term.
The government had given Kenyans just 10 days to register their children under SHIF, which was initially declared unconstitutional by the High Court on July 12 but the court decision was suspended for 45 days following intervention from the Attorney General’s office.
According to an internal memo sent to County Directors of Education and Regional Directors of Education and seen by Viral Tea, Basic Education Principal Secretary Belio Kipsang directed that all school-going children must be registered as dependents of their parents before the start of the new school term.
Principal Secretary (PS) in the Education Ministry Belio Kipsang when he appeared before the Education committee for vetting on November 30, 2022. /FILE
The Social Health Insurance Act No. 16 of 2023, which came into effect on November 22, 2023, mandates that all Kenyans, including children, register with SHIF.
This act aims to improve the country’s Universal Health Coverage (UHC) goals by ensuring that every individual has access to necessary healthcare services.
“Therefore, the Ministry of Health, State Department for Medical Services through the Social Health Authority has developed an enhanced benefit package for Edu Afya to be covered under the Social Health Insurance Fund. Registration of all Kenyans to the Social Health Insurance Fund commenced on the 1st of July, 2024 as a key enabler towards the realization of our Universal Health Coverage.
“All School-going children are therefore required to register as dependents of their parents before school opening dates for the 3rd term 2024,” the memo read in part.
PS Kipsang noted that the registration can be done through sha.go.ke, *147#, or afyangu.go.ke as per the attached registration manual. A soft copy is also available on www.sha.go.ke.
“For any challenges during registration please contact the Social Health Authority call centre on 0800720601 or [email protected].This is therefore to ask you to communicate this information to all parents and schools under your purview that they ensure all students are registered to Social Health Insurance Fund,” he added.
The new health coverage initiative was announced by President William Ruto on August 10, who outlined that from the next three months, all Kenyans will benefit from free healthcare through SHIF.Â
This significant policy shift will extend medical cover previously limited to secondary school students under the EduAfya scheme to include primary school learners as well.
The Principal Secretary’s move points to the government’s commitment to implementing the Social Health Insurance Fund, which aims to provide free healthcare for all Kenyans from birth to age 18.
Registration for SHIF has been underway since July 1, 2024. The Ministry of Health, through the Social Health Authority, has developed an enhanced benefit package to incorporate EduAfya into SHIF.Â
This means that the previous coverage offered to secondary school students will now be available to all children, expanding the reach of the fund significantly.
High school students during an exam session. /KENYA NEWS AGENCY