- President William Ruto has announced the release of Sh18 billion in school capitation, a move welcomed by parents in the Central Rift.
- KUPPET has disputed the claim, saying schools have received only about Sh16,500 per learner against an expected Sh22,244, leaving institutions with mounting supplier debts.
- The union has warned that funding shortfalls could force schools to seek extra payments from parents and could affect national exam preparations.
A dispute has broken out between the Kenya Union of Post Primary Education Teachers (KUPPET) and the government over a reported Sh18 billion release in school capitation, even as parents in the Central Rift welcomed the announcement as a relief heading into the third term.
President William Ruto’s announcement of the disbursement drew a swift challenge from KUPPET Deputy Secretary General Moses Nthurima, who disputed the government’s assertion that the full amount had reached schools. Nthurima described the claim as unsubstantiated, saying institutions were still experiencing serious funding shortfalls.
According to the union, schools have received approximately Sh16,500 per learner this year, against an expected annual allocation of Sh22,244, a gap Nthurima warned was leaving schools with mounting debts to suppliers and could affect their ability to provide basic services. He further cautioned that some institutions could be forced to seek extra payments from parents to settle outstanding bills, and that the financial difficulties could also affect preparations for national examinations, adding pressure on school administrators.
The dispute stands in contrast to the reception the announcement received among parents in Nakuru, where Mercy Koros and Florence Sigei said timely government funding was essential to preventing interruptions in learning. Koros said schools had previously suffered when capitation was delayed. “Delayed release of the funds has in the past led to disruption of learning activities, a situation that should be avoided,” she said, adding that the latest announcement suggested the government was paying attention to the education sector and that parents should not be left to shoulder additional financial burdens arising from funding delays.
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Sigei said the timing of the funds was particularly important given that schools were already in the final and shortest term of the academic year. “Many of us fully rely on government funding. Timely funding is key, given that the third term is the shortest,” she said. Both parents said they expected the government to maintain a predictable capitation schedule so that schools could plan and meet their obligations. “Education is key, and funds should always be released on time to avert disruption,” Sigei said.
The disagreement comes as schools begin the third term, with parents urging the government to ensure capitation funds reach institutions promptly, even as KUPPET maintains that the actual funds available in school accounts do not match the government’s Sh18 billion claim. The gap between the two positions sets the stage for continued scrutiny of how school financing is disbursed and accounted for in the weeks ahead.
By Kimutai Langat
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