Kenya Primary Schools Head Teachers Association (KEPSHA) chairman Johnson Nzioka has decried delayed disbursement of Free Primary Education (FPE) capitation funds.
Addressing the press at KEPSHA Secretariat during launch of a memorandum of understanding with Kurasa Africa, Nzioka pointed out that the Ministry of Education is yet to release capitation to schools even after assuring schools that money was to be disbursed.
“The government assured schools that in second term the right percentage of 30% of what is supposed to be sent to schools was to be released on time. This is yet to be effected,” he said.
The Chair said what was released last term was a portion of what the schools were supposed to receive and the government has continued to accumulate the debt.
Nzioka said heads of institutions have no money to run schools and school programmes may soon grind to a halt, and that the government has not actualized NEMIS in school and has been using it as an excuse of not releasing the funds.
“When the information of learners is filled in NEMIS, it is erased later, and we are left wondering how we are going to maintain the records right with the ministry,” he said.
The Chair also noted that in Junior Secondary School, only 50% of capitation has been received.
National Treasurer Kennedy Kyeva shared the same sentiments, pointing out that the delay will hamper smooth operations in the learning institutions, including co-curriculum activities.
“No child should be left behind when it comes to capitation; the government should support all the children in schools,” he said.
He noted that govt is infringing on learners’ right to access education by delaying disbursement of capitation
Irene Yiaile, National Secretary, said the head teachers have done their best even though they are facing the financial challenges to ensure students participate in ongoing music festivals, which is now in the regional levels.
KEPSHA however pointed out that schools have been able to recover lost time that was occasioned by floods that hit the country.
They also said there has been delay in issuance of birth certificates to students by Ministry of Interior and Coordination of National Government, a requirement for registration of pupils in NEMIS.
The association also pointed out that the delay in releasing the funds will also affect transition of JSS students to Grade 9, as they are yet to put up classrooms and are in dark if the construction will be funded through capitation or National Government Constituency Development Fund (NGCDF).
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