The Ministry of Education released capitation funds to schools worth Ksh24 billion on Thursday.
However, school heads have protested saying the funds may not be adequate as schools are yet to receive funds for the first and second term.
While appearing in Parliament on Wednesday, June 7, Education Cabinet Secretary (CS) Ezekiel Machogu promised that schools will receive a sum of Ksh28 billion noting that schools will have the money in their accounts by today, Friday.
Consequently, Kenya Secondary Schools Heads Association (KESSHA) Chairman Kahi Indimuli and his Kenya Primary School Heads Association (KEPSHA) counterpart Johnson Nzioka have come out guns blazing saying schools heads are stressed as the monies are not enough and majority of them are under the mercy of suppliers and risk being taken to court over huge debts.
“For now I can say the government has not given us money. I do not even know what percentage this money is. Given the over 12 million learners in primary schools, the money is too little. This will put us in more confusion,” Nzioka said.
Indimuli noted that the funds have been released without a circular explaining how they should be utilised, further creating more confusion.
“We don’t know the percentage has been released per child and the vote they have been allocated. The biggest challenge will be money for operations as it is not enough. Schools will continue having problems,” he said.
At the same time, Kenya Union of Special Needs Education Teachers (KUSNET) Chairman Peter Sitienei faulted the government for not factoring in the category saying they have been neglected far too long.
“I urge the government to identify SNE and solve our problems through the Directorate of Special Needs. We expect grants for two terms which they have not distributed to us,” Sitienei said.
According to the disbursement schedule, secondary schools would receive Ksh15.6 billion to cater for Free Day Secondary Schools (FDSE), Free Primary Education (FPE) would receive Ksh4.6 billion and Junior Secondary School to receive Ksh3.8 billion.
By Vostine Ratemo
Get more stories from our website: Education News
You can also follow our social media pages on Twitter: Education News KE and Facebook: Education News Newspaper for timely updates.
