By Eugene Kioko
Kenya Secondary School Heads Association (KESSHA) has asked the government to release at least 30 per cent of the school capitation in order to enable schools to pay employees under the Board of Management and clear other pending bills.
Speaking during an interview with a local Radio station on Thursday morning, KESSHA Chairman Mr. Kahi Indimuli who is also the Principal, Machakos School said that some schools stopped paying salaries for the support staff in March.
He added that some schools have received notice of electricity disconnection from the Kenya Power and Lighting Company due to the unpaid bills.
Mr. Indimuli pointed out that security personnel who guard institution worth millions of shillings may become demotivated as a result of lack of payment hence may collude with criminals to break into the school property. He therefore urged the government through the Ministry of Education to address the issue before it gets dire.
“Beginning July, I don’t think there is any school which will be in a position to pay their support staff. Therefore, I call upon the government to release funds as soon as possible,” said Mr Indimuli.
He also asked Kenya Power not to disconnect electricity from public schools since they also belong to the government which is economically impotent as results of Covid-19 pandemic.
“On the issue of school fees refund, schools have up to date records hence individual schools will refund fee to the students who had paid excess fees and were transferring to another school or has completed their studies at the end of the four-year course but for the students who are still in the institution, excess payment will be carried forward to the next academic year, Mr Indimuli explained.
He said the decision to postpone the opening of schools to next year was not easy but encouraged students not to give up hope but continue studying while at home.
