Schools yet to receive capitation funds, a week after reopening

KUPPET Secretary General Akello Misori. [Edward Kiplimo, Standard]

Secondary schools could be headed for financial crises as they open doors to 1.4 million learners joining Form One.

Some 1.2 million learners will also join Junior Secondary School (JSS) as they transit from primary school under the Competency-Based Curriculum.

The Standard has established that schools are yet to receive the capitation funds, a week after reopening.

Principals who spoke to The Standard indicated that they had not received the funds by close of business on Friday despite reassurance from the ministry when schools reopened.

"We want to assure our schools that the funds have been released. It is a process because of systems, the funds will be in the accounts by Wednesday or Friday latest," PS Bellio Kipsang said last Monday during the release of KCSE results at Moi Girls School, Eldoret.

The ministry in early January had indicated that Sh31 billion had been set aside for capitation to schools.

Out of the total funds, Sh4.74 billion will go towards Free Primary Education with Sh7.60 billion being capitation for JSSs for term one.

Some Sh2.80 billion is meant for school examination and invigilation fees while Sh16.20 has been factored in for Free Day Secondary School.

Attempt to reach the new Kenya Secondary School Heads Association leadership for a comment on the delay was futile as the chairman did not respond to calls.

The delay in capitation disbursement could now cause anxiety and operational crisis with Form One admission is expected to push the population of learners in secondary school to about 3.8 million.

Parents also want the ministry to make a pronouncement on the issue of extra levies.

National Parents Association chair Silas Obuhatsa urged the Teachers Service Commission to take action against schools that violate fees guidelines.

Kenya Union of Post Primary Education Teachers Secretary General Akello Misori called on the government to deploy extra teachers to schools ahead of the admission.

Misori noted that the government had committed to employ 116,000 teachers but the target is still far off.