Delayed school funding puts strain on teachers

Students in a classroom. Schools received Sh4,156 per learner for second term. [File, Standard] The delayed disbursement of capitation funds for primary and secondary schools in Kenya has impacted school operations, leaving heads of institutions in a difficult position. Kenya Secondary Schools Heads Association (Kessha) and the Kenya Primary Schools Heads Association (Kepsha) have voiced their concerns, emphasising the strain on school managers. In June, the government disbursed Sh35.6 billion in capitation funds for the second term. The allocation covered Sh18.85 billion for secondary schools under the Free Day Secondary Education programme, Sh14.047 billion for Junior Secondary Schools, and Sh2.74 billion for primary schools. However, Johnson Nzioka, chairman of Kepsha, revealed that the Ministry of Education has not released the funds despite prior assurances. "Heads of institutions have been stressed by the lack of funds to run institutions. The government assured heads of schools that the right percentage of 30 per cent of what is supposed to be sent to schools would be released in time. This was not to be!" Nzioka said. He noted that many school programmes, including co-curricular activities, have been halted due to underfunding. Nzioka further stressed that school heads are struggling to keep schools operational, making it difficult for teaching and learning to continue effectively. "As school heads, our hands are tied. We do not want head teachers to be accused of running down schools, yet they are not facilitated. We do not want to start a blame game," Nzioka stated. Kessha chairman Willy Kuria shared similar frustrations, pointing out that schools received only Sh4,156 per learner, far short of the expected Sh5,000. "Second term is a busy term in schools. Apart from teaching and learning, we have ball games as well as music festivals. Students look upon their schools to facilitate them to participate. With empty coffers, how will schools support students?" Kuria wondered. Kuria also raised the issue of mounting debts to suppliers, further complicating school operations. "Suppliers have been camping at our schools every day. Whenever the government announces the release of some money, they come for it. If this continues, then we are headed in the direction of universities," said Kuria. Nzioka mentioned that some schools missed out on capitation funds last term, and the government did not send the money cumulatively this term. "We make a passionate appeal to those responsible in the ministry to assist us in having the right capitation sent to schools," he pleaded. A persistent issue has been the National Education Management Information System (Nemis), with Nzioka noting that the system often erases learners' information after it is inputted. "Our members say that once they feed the learners' information in Nemis, after a short while, that information is erased. We are left wondering how we are expected to maintain these records correctly with the Ministry," he said. Irine Yiaile, the National Secretary of Kepsha, criticised the government for infringing on learners' basic right to access education. She emphasised that the delayed disbursement has crippled school operations, including essential co-curricular activities. Kenya Union of Post Primary Education Teachers (Kuppet) chairman Omboko Milemba called for a re-evaluation of the current system due to budget cuts. "We are grappling with the budget cuts. With these austerity measures, we now want the government to move Grade 9 to secondary schools," he said.Schools received Sh4,156 per learner for second term, far short of the expected Sh5,000.

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