Capitation delays: Schools could close down as cash crunch bites

Kenya Primary Schools Head Teachers Association (KEPSHA) National Vice Chairman, Johnson Nzioka, addressed the press on August 10, 2023, at KICD in Nairobi. [Edward Kiplimo, Standard] Schools across the country are raising the alarm over the release of capitation funds a month after the start of second term. The delay now threatens the smooth of running operations. The situation has also been made worse due to delayed payment of fees by parents. In junior secondary and primary schools, head teachers revealed they are not only struggling to meet their day-to-day activities but also straining to supplement the teacher shortfall and necessities for the Competency-Based Curriculum. Kenya Primary Schools Heads Association Chairman Johnson Nzioka warned of the precarious situation in primary schools because they exclusively depend on government funding and are not allowed to charge any extra fees. According to Nzioka, the state of affairs extends to junior secondary domiciled in primary schools. "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 yesterday. Similarly, Kenya Secondary Schools Heads Association Chairman Willy Kuria said day secondary schools are facing the same burden as they solely depend on capitation to fund operations. Kuria who also is the school head of Murang'a High School, indicated that the situation is not very different for boarding secondary schools as principals face double predicament of delay in government funding and direct fees paid by parents. To add on their troubles is the now chronic problem of under-funding. "Schools did not receive the full amount of capitation funds they were set to get for the first term," said the KESSHA boss. A document by KESSHA titled 'Free Secondary Education Capitation 2024' shows that the Ministry of Education released capitation of Sh8,319.68 per learner last term. This is short of Sh11,000 allocated for first term per learner for capitation which is 50 percent of Sh22,244 provided as the total capitation for each learner every year. "Therefore, a balance of Sh2,802.32 is still owing," the document reads. This term, the schools expect Sh6,673.20 which is 30 percent of the total capitation. In spite of the gloomy picture, Kuria has revealed that they have held talks with the Ministry of Education and indications are that the funds could be released 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," he said. The paralysis threat comes as schools gear up for the midterm break that is set for June 26 after the Ministry of Education changed the dates for the half-term break. Initially, the learners were to break for second term from June 20 to 23. But in circular dated May 24 to all County Directors of Education, the half-term dates have been moved to June 26. The ministry said all learners in boarding schools will be expected to report back on June 30, 2024, adding that the changes may require adjustments on planned activities and schedules. The change in dates has further complicated the situation for some schools as reported by heads interviewed by The Standard. This has seen various schools resort to arm-twist tactics to compel parents to meet their fee obligations. One of the heads said his school got new teachers via the Board of Management to supplement for the staffing gaps in the junior secondary wing. Some schools are reportedly notifying learners with fee balances to go home. "Dear parent, this is a reminder to meet at least 70 per cent fees balance for the second term on or before 3/06/2024," read a message from one of the parents. According to Kuria, the delays have impacted day schools and special needs schools the hardest. "Special needs schools have been hardly affected as well because they largely run on government funding," he said.

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