Schools in crisis as funding delays leave education hanging on a thread

The education sector is undergoing a severe crisis that risks undoing the progress achieved over the past two decades.

Ongoing challenges such as chronic underfunding, delayed disbursement of capitation, and budget reductions have led stakeholders to question whether the system is being intentionally undermined.

Frequent curriculum changes and hurried policy rollouts have added to the confusion, rather than providing clarity or solutions, according to experts.

Capitation—the government’s per- student funding for public schools—has long been the backbone of the Free Primary Education and subsidized Secondary Education programmes.

However, as highlighted by Tunza Mtoto Coalition CEO Ouko Muthoni, schools are struggling to operate midway through the second term with no funds yet released.

“The only fund that gets to learners is capitation and teachers’ salaries. But monies retained at the ministry remain unaccounted for,” she said.

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Muthoni also criticized the current allocation of Ksh1, 400 per primary school student as grossly insufficient to cover essential expenses like textbooks and operations.  “When budget cuts hit, capitation is the first to suffer.”

Kenya Secondary Schools Heads Association (KESSHA) Chair Willie Kuria stated that last term, the government provided Ksh8, 000 per secondary student, Ksh3, 156 short of the promised KSh11, 000, warning that this term, being the longest with numerous co-curricular activities, could lead to unrest if schools are unable to support students adequately.

A principal expressed frustration, saying, “Our hands are tied. We do not want head teachers to be accused of running down schools, yet they are not facilitated,”

Kenya Union of Post Primary Education Teachers (KUPPET) Secretary-General Akelo Misori underscored the damaging impact of delayed capitation on school activities.

“No child should be left behind when it comes to funding. The government has an obligation to support each student in schools,” said Misori.

Muthoni described the crisis as avoidable and man-made, accusing leadership of compromising learners’ futures.

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“We are witnessing a reversal of gains we made in the last 20 years. This is not just about one ministry, it’s about leadership and accountability at the very top,” she said.

She criticized political appointments within the Ministry of Education, arguing that positions should be filled by individuals with relevant experience.

“When we were implementing CBC, the PS was an ambassador in Pakistan and changed to be in charge of Immigration. How do you expect him to understand CBC transitions to CBE?” she asked, stressing that the responsibility does not lie solely with the Cabinet Secretary.

National Parents Association chairman Silas Obuhatsa also have raised concern over rising dropout rates due to unaffordable school fees. The education sector, he added, appears trapped in endless reforms:  The change from National Education Management Information System to Kenya Education Management Information System, from Competency Based Curriculum to Competency Based Education, and the shifting domiciles of junior secondary.

By Cornelius Korir