School administrators of primary and secondary schools across the country are expressing concern about the delayed disbursement of capitation funds, one month into the second term.
The delay poses a threat to the running of the schools. The predicament is exacerbated by parents’ tardiness in fee payments.
Primary and junior secondary schools heads disclosed that they face challenges in financing their daily operations. They are also facing challenges in addressing the shortage of teachers and fulfilling the requirements of the Competency-Based Curriculum.
Johnson Nzioka, Chairman of the Kenya Primary Schools Heads Association, cautioned about the precarious state of public primary schools, which rely solely on government funding and are prohibited from imposing any additional fees. He indicated that the situation also applies to junior secondary schools located within primary school premises.
“We hope that the funding will come before the midterm break but if we can get the funds sooner that will go a long way in stabilising the situation in schools,” Nzioka said.
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According to Willy Kuria, Chairman of Kenya Secondary Schools Heads Association (KESSHA), day secondary schools are grappling with the same challenge as they rely exclusively on capitation funds for operational expenses. He mentioned that boarding secondary schools encounter a similar challenge, where Principals experience both delayed government funding and fees deficits by parents.
They also face the persistent issue of under-funding. “Schools did not receive the full amount of capitation funds they were set to get for the first term,” said KESSHA boss.
According to a document by KESSHA titled ‘Free Secondary Education Capitation 2024,’ the Ministry of Education disbursed KSh8, 319.68 per learner during the last term. However, this falls short of the KSh11, 000 allocated for the first term per learner, which constitutes 30 per cent of the total annual capitation of KSh22, 244 provided for each student.
“Therefore, a balance of KSh2, 802.32 is still owed,” the document reads. Kuria mentioned that the Ministry has indicated that funds could be released to schools this week.
“Some schools reopened on April 29 and have had their form four students in class since then, but we are hopeful that the funds will be released this week,” said Kuria. The warning arises as schools prepare for the midterm break, scheduled for June 26.
The schools were initially set to break on June 20. But a circular to County Directors of Education stated that the dates were moved a week later.
By Frank Mugwe
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