Over 30 percent of students to drop out of school if capitation is slashed

JSS intern teachers protest in Naivasha, demanding permanent jobs as strike enters week three. (Antony Gitonga, Standard)

The National Parents Association (NPA) is warning that over 30 per cent of students could drop out of school if the government reduces capitation from Sh22,000 to Sh16,000.

According to the association, thousands of parents rely on this capitation, and the planned reduction spells disaster for the education sector.

This warning follows a statement from Treasury Cabinet Secretary John Mbadi, who indicated that the government could not sustain the free education program and could only afford Sh16,000 in capitation.

The proposal has drawn criticism from parents and leaders across the country, who are accusing the Kenya Kwanza regime of undermining the significant progress made in education.

Eskimos Kobia, Secretary-General of the association, described capitation as a crucial resource for education at a time when many parents cannot afford school fees.

Speaking in Naivasha, Kobia urged Members of Parliament and Senators to speak out against the government’s plan to cut funds.

“If the government proceeds with the capitation cut as promised by CS Mbadi, over 30 percent of students, particularly those in day schools, will drop out,” he asserted.

Kobia further argued that the government should instead increase the capitation to Sh25,000 due to the rising cost of living and the planned changes under the Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC) system.

“It’s unfortunate that for 23 years, the free education program has run smoothly, but this government, which has been in power for over two years, wants to phase it out,” he lamented.

He called on the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) to investigate recent claims that some unregistered schools received millions in capitation while public schools continue to struggle financially.

“It is widely known that some unregistered schools have received substantial capitation funds at a time when the government is planning to reduce support for public schools,” he highlighted.

A headteacher, who wished to remain anonymous, described the government’s decision to cut capitation as one of the darkest moments for the education sector in the country.

He noted that schools are currently burdened with debts due to delays in the government’s release of capitation funds for the second term.

“This capitation is not only used to pay some staff salaries but also to pay suppliers, and currently, nearly all schools are drowning in debt,” he explained.

“Since this government came into power, there has been one crisis after another in the education sector, and this is demoralizing for everyone involved, including teachers and students,” he added.