The Kenya Secondary School Heads Association (KESSHA) has raised serious concerns over the persistent delays in the release of the Ksh21 billion allocated for second-term capitation. School heads have expressed disappointment that this delay has left many schools facing financial strains, with some already burdened by mounting debts.
During a press briefing on May 3, school administrators shared that the delay in receiving the funds has made it difficult for schools to continue running smoothly. Basic operations such as administrative functions and maintenance of facilities are being undermined by the lack of resources.
“Delays in government funding significantly impact our ability to deliver services. The delay in settling bills with suppliers, for example, disrupts the supply chain and makes it difficult for us to maintain services,” said one of the teachers in attendance. “This affects the quality of education, and we urge the government to prioritize the release of capitation funds.”
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Government’s Assurance on Fund Disbursement
This latest development comes just after Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Ogamba assured the public during the Naivasha Education Conference on May 2 that the government would release the Ksh21 billion to schools in the coming week. He emphasized that the funds would assist school administrators in managing their budgets for the ongoing second term, which began earlier this week.
Ogamba attributed the delays to the country’s financial limitations, noting that nearly 30% of the national budget is typically allocated to the education sector. “Some of the government-funded initiatives are expensive, and these costs sometimes delay the release of funds,” Ogamba explained.
Challenges for Public Education in Kenya
Despite these assurances, the delays in capitation disbursement have raised doubts about the stability of Kenya’s public education system. The timing is particularly concerning as the country is still grappling with the challenges of rolling out the new Competency-Based Education (CBE) system.
Ogamba also reiterated that school heads must adhere to the Ministry of Education’s guidelines, which prohibit schools from charging extra levies beyond the standard fees. This directive aims to avoid placing unnecessary financial pressure on parents.
Impact on Students and Schools
The uncertainty surrounding the release of funds is causing anxiety among school heads and parents alike. Without the timely release of capitation, many schools may struggle to provide essential services and maintain facilities, which could affect the learning environment for students.
Image Section
Photo: School heads addressing the media regarding delayed capitation funds.
